Beauty spot is fenced off

ALEX SCAPENS

ABEAUTY spot used by families, fishermen and dog walkers for decades has been barricaded off with a concrete-encased fence.

Popular Weir Lodge and the area around it, off Heald Lane, is no longer accessible after it was surrounded by the barrier on Monday. The land is owned by Irwell Springs Developments, with permission to build houses in 2003, and is up for sale for £880,000.

Residents say the land around the three lodges will not be used in any building so could be left open for people to enjoy and it is hoped that it can be classed as a public right of way to allow this to happen again.

Paul Hannah, chairman of Weir Pride, said: “The lodges have always been open access and even though the development site has been fenced off the lodges remained accessible.

“We want an assurance that the lodges will be retained and the access that residents have enjoyed for decades reinstated.

“People were understandably devastated to see this happen to a beauty spot that is so popular and well used.

“The lodges are teaming with wildlife and residents want to ensure that it is not affected by any further works being carried out.”

Contractors erected the fence on Monday and also removed a metal bridge.

The site once contained the Irwell Springs Turkey Red Dyeing Company, later Calico, and at one time 400 people were employed there.

Residents say since the mill disappeared the paths around the lodges have been used by locals and been home to wildlife.

Jimmy Eaton, Lancashire County Councillor for Rossendale East, said: “It’s absolutely appalling to put concrete posts in, someone could have been in touch to say what they were proposing.

“It is very important and we hope it can be a public right of way, but we need people who have used it over the last 50 years to write that down and send it in so it can be used as evidence.”

A planning application to build 56 houses at the site was granted in 1990. A further application was refused in 2001, but overturned on appeal in 2003, leading to some houses on Greenwood Drive being built.

Irwell Springs Developments was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Free Press.

People can send evidence to Catherine Smyth, 8 Heald Lane, Weir, Bacup OL13 8QN. ● Above and below, Weir Lodge, which is now fenced off