FACEBOOK COMMENTS
WHAT you’ve been saying on our Facebook page:
COUNCIL keen to avoid government intervention as they battle to find space to locate 3,200 new homes (‘Town hall struggling to hit homes target’, July 20) Nicola J Longmire: Why are the government telling us to build more houses? Do they not think the empty boarded up ones need filling first? Laura Marsden: We don’t have the road infrastructure for more homes in Rossendale. Totally ridiculous. Ian Birkbeck: To get the boarded up ones done it means spending money so they build new ones not for normal families, higher community charge and add to statistics for north west of most empty properties in UK Susan Longworth: 3200 homes means how many people? Our doctors, dentists, schools, hospitals are already over subscribed. The traffic in our valley is already a nightmare without at least 3200 extra vehicles. What are our town planners proposing I wonder? Gary Cunliffe: So the excuses already being put in place that the government will send someone up to stick houses anywhere and everywhere. Funny thing is if there was actual investment in infrastructure we would accept some new houses being built, but councils seem unable to manage to organise that. Just look at school numbers, due to both Rossendale and Rochdale councils just giving planning permission for more and more housing while no new schools were built and in Rochdale at least one closed. Maybe before crying about being between a rock and a hard place council employees and councillors should sit down and actually think what is needed before new houses are built and argue that point with the government John Lord: And so the circus continues... keep building houses without infrastructure, makes perfect sense eh. Oh that’s right common sense was abolished back in the late 70s. The so called experts then had a perfect opportunity to ease the valley’s predicted traffic nightmares of yesterday and today, and the public supported it. Unfortunately it is reap what you sow at the expense of the commuter. Anna Lewiston: Are there other areas in the country where the Government have gone in and made the council build? Laura Barker: I for one already pay around £1500 a month in tax, my partner pays around £2000 a month in tax also. Are we solely paying for this as it feels like it when we pay our bills on top of all this work. The amount of non working people in this community aren’t contributing whatsoever how is this all justified? Donna Ridgway: Yeah we really don’t need any more houses! Schools and doctors are beyond struggling as it is! No police or even a station! Sean Anthony Kelly: This isn’t Rossendale Council that will be building the houses. It is about Central Government (who claim to be devolving powers to the Regions) imposing restrictions on the ability to refuse planning permission to house builders based on a projected need for new housing in the future (and we all know how good Governments have been about predicting the future). Susan Walsh: We have no more room in this valley for more homes. There will be too many people for doctors, schools and hospitals TG Westwell: There is actually no police there now, stations closed down, no trains, roads plans, bus company moved on. No places already for local children. Plans to upgrade Manchester to Liverpool train line cancelled. Hospital closed, next hospital (Rochdale) closed. Stunning part of the world being closed and left, increasing housing to meet government targets but no plan to make the area more sustainable Annette Davidson: That’s because we do not have space, roads, schools, leisure facilities, parking spaces and other infrastructure for 3200 new homes.
ROADS bosses in dispute with elderly widow over longrunning mystery water leak in Rawtenstall (‘Water leak riddle still running after 12 years’, July 20) Kamran Shah: I lived on it for years and I parked in the same place where the pics were taken. The road has not been damaged from where the water is. It is very annoying, a constant flow of water but it is not the home owners’ fault. I don’t think drainage issues are very common on Schofield Road due to the way the underground pipes have been placed. Me personally, I think it’s a little stream coming from higher up and due to cracks in the ground it comes up and out. Give the woman a break. Helena Dave Lighthouse: There is an underground system of streams across this area that runs into Whitaker Park. It may not be on modern surveys. Perhaps there is a survey of the original estate that will show water courses. Kate Victoria: We have a spring that’s popped up in our garden... it’s not a leak just a spring but not much we can do unless we dig a soakaway etc. This lady needs to do similar. Leon Ashworth: Someone’s left a tap on.
TRIBUTES to 38th Rossendale Scouts stalwart James Mitchell (‘Inspirational Scout leader has died at 42’, July 20): Gina Doherty: Absolutely heartbreaking! Fantastic guy with such a caring nature! I remember him from primary school and growing up, my thoughts go out to all his family! Especially his lovely mum. Rest easy friend Zoe Hindle: So sad Leah Greenwood: Rest in peace Jimmy x