Hurstwood fury as wedding venue blocked
ACONTROVERSIAL proposed ‘wedding venue’ and events space has been refused planning permission for a second time.
The change of use application by Mr Adeel Saleem was resubmitted for a restaurant, banqueting hall, wedding and events venue and offices at the vacant Orient One, the former Winners Discount Megastore building on New Hall Hey Road, Rawtenstall.
Officers recommended its approval subject to conditions but, following 28 objections from the public and 287 signatories of a petition, councillors refused the application at this week’s development control meeting.
Objections had cited major traffic issues, a lack of car parking, noise nuisance and pollution. One letter of support was received.
Speaking for the application, Michael Gilbert, of Peter Brett Associates, said it was an entirely appropriate location for an events venue - one that
would not necessarily be a wedding venue.
He told the meeting: “The building has an open A1 retail consent, and therefore has a legitimate lawful fallback position as a large supermarket. This would, if re-opened for such a use, generate a significant amount of vehicular movements from both customers and deliveries throughout the day.
“The overall number of trips associated with the consented supermarket use would be greater and more frequent than would be expected from an events venue.”
The meeting also heard from officers that the scheme would actually exceed the parking standards required of it - providing 125 spaces in total.
Mr Gilbert said the sole upheld reason for previous refusal - the impact on living conditions of the occupants of Railway Terrace - had been mitigated by omitting a proposed mezzanine, and changing the parking area.
Speaking against the proposal, Nicholas Wilcock questioned how the ‘shaky’ application had reduced the venue’s capacity from 650 to 450.
He said: “Where have 200 guests gone? We simply have no idea how many guests are going to be in this venue. This plan has been submitted on very shaky foundations.”
Members also raised concerns over how the venue would guarantee a maximum capacity and what would happen if the car park was full.
In a statement from the floor which was read out in his absence, Coun Steve Hughes said the applicant had done nothing to deal with noise and light pollution.
He said: “The road infrastructure around this property will not be able to cope with the pressures of 650 people needing to travel to and from the venue. This volume of travelling customers will have a significantly negative impact on local residents and cause chaos in the local area when guests are arriving and leaving the premises.
“I am not against the development of a wedding venue, but this location is not acceptable.”
Councillors refused the application as a result of the noise, unsociable hours and light pollution it would cause.
After the meeting, a spokesperson from the landowner Hurstwood, said: “We are disappointed and saddened to learn that the council are continuing to take this narrow minded view denying many residents of Rossendale the facilities they need and deserve.
“This application was recommended for approval for the second time and we have covered every angle of planning policy and there are simply no reasonable grounds for refusal.
“A conferencing, assembly and wedding venue in a central location with more than adequate facilities and parking is greatly needed in the area.
“We have already been awarded costs from the last appeal. We will now appeal again and seek further costs.”