Hoardings finally to be torn down after 9 years
ADVERTISING hoardings are to be pulled down at last by Rossendale council - nine years after they were first erected.
The boards on St Mary’s Way in Rawtenstall advertising properties at Holly Mount House have been in place since 2009, and council bosses issued an enforcement notice to land owners demanding improvement works - including their removal - be completed. As part of the terms of the enforce- ment notice, the council was originally expecting to wait until the end of August before they would be able to remove the boards. But they said this week council contractors were now due to remove the hoardings and tidy up the site on Thursday morning, August 16.
A Rossendale council spokesperson said: “We are taking them down because we are concerned about the potential health and safety risk.”
Coun Steve Hughes said the council received concerns over the hoardings - which were pictured leaning up against a road sign.
As a result, council officers asked the site owners if they could remove the hoardings earlier than expected.
Coun Hughes spoke of his relief that the hoardings were to be removed after such a lengthy enforcement process.
He said: “I am really pleased that after a long period of time, we will see these hideous hoardings removed and the site tided up. I, and I know the general public, am looking forward to the undoubted improvements this will make to the Conservation Area.”
Coun Hughes insisted the council was taking enforcement issues seriously. He said: “Enforcement actions can be difficult and controversial in some cases. The council has really upped its game and takes these issues incredibly seriously.
“Enforcement issues can be frustrating at times but this is a great example of where action has been taken to sort this issue out.
“Thank you to the members of the local community and the enforcement officers who, working together have got this great result – long may it continue.”
The hoardings advertised the redevelopment of Grade II-listed Holly Mount House which was built in 1834, into modern apartments.
‘We are concerned about the potential health and safety risk’