Hamlet could get heritage status
AN historic rural hamlet looks set to become Rochdale’s latest conservation area.
Councillors will vote tonight (Wednesday) on plans to give Catley Lane Head, home to the famous Cotton Famine Road, the special status.
It gives an area protection in planning law, meaning any application to develop or demolish buildings in the area will need to be considered carefully to ensure it doesn’t damage its historic character.
A report set to go before Rochdale Township states: Establishing a conservation area would help to protect the heritage of this well preserved and relatively sensitively restored hamlet by bringing attention to its unique landscape and architecture as well as provide the local community with strong sense of identity and pride.”
The Cotton Famine Road, is so-called because Rochdale’s cotton workers sided with the African slaves, who picked cotton in the US, in support of President Abraham Lincoln’s pledge to abolish slavery.
The recommended conservation area includes Brownhill Farm in the south, the listed Smallshaw Farm in the east and a significant section of Rooley Moor Road, up to Knacks Lane in the north-west and Hunger Hill Farm to the west.
The conservation area also includes three ponds, a stream, features such as setted roads and dry stone walls, and a number of vernacular houses.
The council is looking into the option following an approach by the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Association.
There are currently 28 conservation areas in the borough, including Littleborough town centre, Birch Village, Toad Lane and Rochdale town centre.