Rossendale Free Press

Heritage bosses in Spinning Point u-turn

- STUART PIKE freepressn­ews@menmedia.co.uk

REGENERATI­ON chiefs have been boosted after a key objection to the £5.4m Spinning Point redevelopm­ent was removed.

Rossendale council said Historic England has withdrawn its opposition to the proposals for Rawtenstal­l town centre following the publicatio­n of revised plans last month.

The proposal for a mixed-use developmen­t on the former Valley Centre site, includes leisure, hotel, housing and commercial uses set around a large, attractive public space suitable for hosting a wide range of events and attraction­s.

Following a planning applicatio­n by the council and Barnfield Investment Properties in December 2017, the design team met with Historic England - the public body charged with protecting the nation’s historic architectu­re and heritage - to explore their concerns relating to the scale, mass and form of the building.

In a statement, the council said: “Positive solutions were identified and amended plans were submitted earlier this month. Historic England has now commended the significan­tly improved scheme, which adds interest to the street scene through varied frontages, reduces the perceived mass of the new blocks; and reflects the local surroundin­gs and responds to local character.”

Marie Smallwood, Historic England’s Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, said: “Historic England no longer has any objection to the proposals, and would be pleased to see the scheme move forward positively, as appropriat­e.”

Coun Andrew MacNae, Rossendale council’s cabinet member for regenerati­on, said it was an extremely positive step.

He said: “It has been fantastic to work with Historic England towards revised proposals for Spinning Point.

“Our priority has always been to create a modern, fit for purpose developmen­t which is complement­ary and sympatheti­c to Rawtenstal­l’s unique heritage.

“The design team is committed to getting this balance right and has worked very closely with Historic England to fully understand and respond to its concerns. This is an extremely positive step towards realising Spinning Point and, I hope, provides some assurance to local people that we are listening to and acting on feedback.”

Rawtenstal­l Chamber of Commerce withdrew its support for the second phase of the project last month, despite describing the 3D images as ‘impressive’.

 ??  ?? ●● The amended and ‘enhanced’ designs for Phase Two of the Spinning Point Project, which have seen Historic England withdraw their objections to the £5.4m scheme
●● The amended and ‘enhanced’ designs for Phase Two of the Spinning Point Project, which have seen Historic England withdraw their objections to the £5.4m scheme
 ??  ?? ●● Another scene released by Rossendale Council showing details of the proposed redevelopm­ent
●● Another scene released by Rossendale Council showing details of the proposed redevelopm­ent

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