‘Raucous laughter’ over regeneration images
Townships give £160,000 to deliver people’s projects
ACOMMUNITY group has branded images produced for a council consultation as ‘ridiculous’, claiming they sparked ‘raucous laughter’ at its recent meeting.
Littleborough Civic Trust says the CGIS, which show how parts of the town could look if a regeneration plan is put in place, contain mistakes which have got locals howling.
Council bosses say the pictures are only intended to give a ‘general sense’ of what is being proposed for the ‘station area’ rather than being exact illustrations.
But the trust says the authority should have done better - particularly with its deception of how the junction of Hare Hill Road and Victoria Street could look. It points out that ‘totally inaccurate’ images were previously produced for the Castleton station plan - and assurances were given that this would not be repeated when it came to the Littleborough consultation.
However, at a recent trust meeting, the vision put forward in the artist’s impressions is reported to have prompted mirth and derision in equal measure.
One unimpressed member described them as ‘absolutely ridiculous’.
The trust says bloopers include the Springhill Hospice shop being relocated from the right hand side of Hare Hill Road and the RSPCA shop depicted as a red brick building when it is stone.
The long-standing group also questions why it appears to have been turned into a Chinese restaurant.
Some of the shops on the right are duplicated on the left and vice-versa, and the trust is puzzled as to why the American ‘stars and stripes’ flag is on display.
Ian Jackson, chairman of Littleborough Civic Trust, said: “Councillor Peter Winkler directly asked a council officer at the communities, regeneration and environment overview and scrutiny committee, to ensure that the artist’s impressions for Littleborough SPD document were accurate, not misleading and quoted that the drawings produced for Castleton are ‘totally inaccurate’.
“Coun Winkler was assured Littleborough’s would be, but now published it appears not to be the case. They raised raucous laughter from residents when referred to at the meeting.”
But Mark Robinson, assistant director of economy at Rochdale council, has defended the consultation images.
He said: ‘CGIS like these give a high level indication of what a scheme could look like.
“Their aim is to give people a general sense of what we’re proposing for an area, rather than to be an exact illustration of how something will appear in the future. If a decision is made to progress these proposals further, more detailed plans and images will be released and local people will be able to give their views.”
The council is also encouraging people to take part in its consultation on the ‘Draft Littleborough Station Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)’.
This runs until 21 November and locals can make their views known at rochdale.gov.uk/consultations.
A PROGRAMME of local community investment totalling over £160,000 is being delivered across the borough following the latest round of townships funding agreed by Rochdale Borough Council.
Five township committees; Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale North, Rochdale South and Pennines allocate council funds, including grants for community projects, environmental and highway improvements, events and issues raised by residents that need addressing.
Township Committee funding is designed to give financial backing to projects recommended by residents and community groups that will enhance their local areas. Some improvements have already been made and others are to be delivered.
Recent ROCHDALE NORTH investment includes a community sensory and herb garden on Cronkeyshaw Common, new lighting on the slopes in Broadfield Park, junction improvements on Spotland Road, footbridge and path renovations at Caldershaw Brook and a community memorial orchard and wildflower area off Rooley Moor Road.
New low energy LED floodlights have been installed at Spotland Old Kick Pitch and a vehicle activated speed sign on Elmsfield Avenue in Norden has been funded, to slow traffic in the area.
Handrails have also been restored and re-painted in the subways near Spotland Road/college Bank.
ROCHDALE SOUTH have funded traffic calming measures on Bertha Road as well as supporting community projects organised by Al-abbas Institute, the Pakistani and Kashmiri Community Association, Pakeeza Women’s Group and a mental health support event delivered by Awakening Minds.
PENNINES Township has funded fencing at Hare Hill Bowling Club, improved the Clough Street Play Area, contributed to the cost of solar panels at Milnrow Cricket Club and agreed funding for waiting restrictions on Ferrand Road and Ogden Lane.
In HEYWOOD a wildlife pond has been created next to Gristlehurst Woods in Roch Valley, funding has been provided to ‘Tackling Minds’ to enable them to run fishing sessions to help residents with their mental health and two new flags have been purchased for Heywood Memorial Gardens.
New traffic bollards are to be fitted on Rochdale Road East to help prevent parking on the pavement and community events including Heywood Charities Fete and this month’s Heywood’s
Christmas Light’s Switch On have received support.
MIDDLETON Township have funded pathway renovations to improve public access to Tonge Field, new interpretation panels in Alkrington Woods, fence panels on Ennerdale Road and traffic bollards on New Lane and Windermere Road.
Coun Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation said townships are making a difference, tackling issues close to resident’s hearts: “These are smaller projects that make a big difference on the ground in local areas and townships can make sure the financial support reaches exactly where it is needed. We want to see more involvement from local residents and community groups. Your township will do its best to help but we need you to get involved too and let us know what else needs addressing.”