Dozens object to Spinning Point proposals

STEFAN JAJECZNYK

DOZENS of objections have been submitted to Rossendale council’s bid for a £5.4m redevelopment.

Plans have been submitted this week by the council and Barnfield Investment Properties for the next stage of the Spinning Point scheme in Rawtenstall.

The planning application, to be decided next week, focuses on the erection of a pair of three-storey blocks containing a mixture of retail and leisure units plus either a 72-bedroom hotel or 28 residential apartments.

Historic England withdrew its objections earlier this month, but Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce remains opposed and Rossendale Civic Trust says the scheme should be scrapped. The plans have received 49 objections and ten letters of support overall.

Last month Rossendale council released 3D-pictures mocking up how Phase Two of the development would look, if approved. They say they have also taken on board ●● One of the images released by Rossendale council showing the amended and ‘enhanced’ design for Phase Two of the Spinning Point Project consultee comments on last December’s original application.

Coun Andy MacNae, portfolio holder for regeneration, provided an update at the recent cabinet meeting - including the scheme’s ongoing first phase; partial demolition of the old town hall and construction of a new bus station, due for completion by the end of 2018.

He said: “We’re absolutely committed to get the right mix of tenants into that development - hotel accommodation, leisure, cinemas. And shops that really complement Bank Street. One of the things I keep trying to stress is that you need to have the permission in place to get those tenants. It’s a sequence that’s necessary to go through.”

In correspondence with the council, the civic trust wrote: “It is best shelved and re-thought in the light of what is actually on the site now, taking on board present trends in development and sustainability rather than those of ten or fifteen years ago, before any more money, and certainly any more work, is put into it.”

David Gould, chairman of Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce, feels the plans still do not contain adequate provision for additional traffic, although he has welcomed an invitation to take part in a ‘car park working group’.

He said: “Our fear is that - going back to when Asda was erected - the plans bear no resemblance to what is there now. If it is the right scheme, we will support it. It needs to be more detailed.”

The planning committee meeting will be held on Monday, March 26.

Key components of the ‘Spinning Point’ development

The erection of two buildings (Block A and Block B), three storeys in height.

Block A contains four retail units, a ‘leisure foyer’, a refuse store and bicycle store at ground floor and two leisure units at first floor including an outdoor terrace.

Block B contains three leisure units at ground floor level, along with a hotel foyer and plant room. The first floor and second floors will be either a 72-bedroom hotel, or 28 residential apartments.

Creation of an area of public realm measuring approximately 2,278 square metres to contain hard landscaping, trees and plants with steps and seating.

James Street Car Park, with 37 public spaces, will be retained. This will be used for servicing of the units within Block A.

Blocks A and B are to be constructed from natural stone (smooth finish), metal cladding - predominantly in dark grey with some feature areas in a metal finish, dark grey glazed panels, and dark grey aluminium window frames.

Within Block A, two retail units will adjoin the former bank on Bank Street, currently the A’Vucciria restaurant, with their shop frontages facing Bank Street. ●● The Coronation fountain in St James Square, Bacup