‘We’ll keep up fight against 119 homes bid’

FLORA BYATT

OPPONENTS of a plan to build homes on a brownfield site - which were objected to by 180 residents - say they are keeping up the fight.

Developers Gleeson Homes were granted permission to build 119 two to four bed homes at the former site of Spring Mill, in Whitworth, earlier this year.

Residents and councillors are keeping up their opposition to the scheme fearing it will have a nega

tive impact on wildlife, traffic and the strain the homes would place on infrastructure such as doctors surgeries and school places.

Leader of action group, Stop 119 Homes Being Built on Spring Mill, Jessica Banham, said: “It’s extra stress on the roads, it would be awful. Schools say they have no spaces, and GPs have no more places. Also, it is going to completely destroy the wildlife.”

The estate, if built, will only have one access road and although the site is a brownfield site, it has been derelict for many years.

Campaigners say this has created an area for bats, badger sets and a natural pond which attract herons and newts.

Resident Emma Carrick said: “I can already barely get an appointment at the GP. We don’t need more people here.”

Coun for Healey and Whitworth, Dayne Powell said: “The planning process has been followed correctly.

“The issue we have found is the highways department at Lancashire County Council have done a survey and think there’s not an issue, but in my experience of the junction at peak times it’s already at capacity and can’t handle an extra 200 car movements.

“There have been additional primary school places but not secondary school places. Where will children go to school? MR G Challener has applied for the conversion of a former agricultural building to a house with associated access and landscape works at 26, Tong End, Whitworth, Rochdale.

An application for listed building consent has also been submitted for the same purpose.

Other planning applications submitted to ●● Members of the Spring Mill Action Group

“The nature survey that was done does not mention badgers or bats. The planning department hasn’t done anything wrong but they have some gaps in the report. I’d like them to recall it and get it done properly.”

Concerns have been raised by the Rochdale and Bury Bridleways AssociaRossendale Borough Council include:

MRS A Collier has applied to change the use of a building from retail to a restaurant/café, at the former Kar Kare on Black Lane, Rawtenstall. The proposal includes demolition of the building and construction of a new two-storey extension with associated works.

MR G Briggs has tion about the effects on paths that are often ridden by local horseriders.

In response to the concerns, a spokesman from Gleeson Homes said: “Gleeson Homes looks to minimise the disruption around any of its existing developments and works closely with local authoriapplied for a new tyre bay extension at a garage at Lower Deardengate, Haslingden.

MS Kate Thompson has applied for new stables and an associated office and mess building at 93, Burnley Road, Bacup.

LEE Jeys has applied for the full conversion of four existing garages into a two-bedroom dwelling with associated amenity ties to ensure that is the case.”

They added that construction on the site is set to start in autumn.

Lancashire County Council and Rochdale Borough Council have not raised any objection to the 3.50 hectare site development. and parking provision on land next to 1, Lumb Cottages, Meadow Park, Ramsbottom.

MR William Crank has applied for the installation of a kiosk to house a new gas governor on land next to Clod Lane, Haslingden.

BASHARAT Hussain has applied to change the use from retail to a taxi office at 34, Bank Street, Rawtenstall.