MP hopefuls toe to toe over farm plan

STUART PIKE

TWO of Rossendale’s general election candidates have gone toe to toe over a proposed £4 million tourism investment.

Jake Berry and Alyson Barnes have clashed over businessman Tim Vines’ proposed cattle and pig farm, glamping site and wedding venue in Helmshore.

Labour’s Rossendale council leader Coun Barnes has defended the local authority’s rejection of Mr Vines’ plans, after Conservative candidate Mr Berry accused the council of being “antibusiness” over the dispute.

Mr Vines was stunned when council officers blocked the scheme following his resurfacing of the 150-year-old access road to the property, ●● Jake Berry with Tim Vines (left) and Barney Vines (right) on Dowry Lane, Helmshore. Inset: Alyson Barnes known as Dowry Lane.

A joint statement from Mr Berry and the applicant claimed: “Mr Vines has restored the surface of the lane to metalled surface while maintaining its exact width and historical route.

“At the same time he has rebuilt the drystone walls along its route as well as undertaking significant tree planting and restoration.

“Following the notice he is now faced with having to rip up the track surface, as council officials have said it must be returned to its old state by putting back the potholes and breaking up the tarmac surface to let grass grow along its path.”

Mr Vines said: “Having run businesses in this Valley my entire life I wanted to put something back into our economy by creating this new tourism hub for Rossendale.

“It would provide accommodation for visitors and we would be pushing all the other tour- ism attraction in Rossendale. This £4m project is now on hold until we hear further from the council.

“This type of pointless red tape is anti-business and stops people wanting to invest in Rossendale.”

Mr Berry said: “At a recent meeting with the chief executive of Rossendale Borough Council I mentioned that I receive more complaints about Rossendale’s planning department than any other part of the council. How can we develop our economy locally when investments like this are being blocked at every stage?”

Coun Barnes said the council’s planning department had decided that the proposal was green belt development that needed scaling back.

Liberal Democrat Sean Bonner and John Payne, of the Green Party, are also contesting the seat in the June 8 election.