David Foxcroft

Conservative group leader

THE lack of a clear housing strategy is sadly continuing to have a significant impact on residents across the valley.

Only last week over 1,000 residents in and around Edenfield were contacted by Taylor Wimpey sharing their ‘Market Street Masterplan.’ Whilst this site has been earmarked for development in principle, there is still a significant amount of detail to be decided, including the significant issue of the type of homes that are to be built.

The reality is that without a Housing

Strategy the Council cannot direct developers on the homes they can or should build across Rossendale.

This means that more unaffordable homes are built, pricing out young families and residents, rather than building the starter homes needed to ensure residents can afford to live here.

Whilst we are promised that this is being worked on, it is too little too late.

Of the 3,000 homes in the local plan more than a sixth have now been approved, or reached committee stage.

People who have grown up in the Valley are now being priced out by this administration’s failure to get this plan in place for over 11 years.

l At the start of June residents across the Valley held street parties and events to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

This was a truly remarkable event and a once in a lifetime opportunity to come together.

Whilst residents did an amazing job of celebrating, it was disappointing that there was a lack of leadership from the council for events in Rossendale; we didn’t even get bunting up in the towns! It is a real shame that in years to come we will have nothing to share of the large celebrations for the Jubilee – and I know many residents share this disappointment.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend in Bacup there was the ‘This Here’ festival, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Bacup has around £90,000 to use towards creating events that build and showcase the towns heritage and in time these could become annual events supporting businesses and tourism in the town and beyond.

Sadly, if the event across the Bank Holidays was an indication of what is to come then I fear the money will be wasted.

Back in April the Coconutters’ Easter Saturday parade brought thousands into Bacup to join together and enjoy the town’s heritage.

‘This Here’ celebrated a mere 700 coming. It was poorly promoted, poorly shared and poorly executed.

We must do better if we are to create a real legacy with the funding, and I have offered to support the committee in any way I can.

l At last week’s Full Council we agreed how the £320,000 of support for households should be spent in Rossendale.

This is part of the £421 million Household Support Fund from Government to help families with the impact of the cost of living.

It is great news that this will be used to directly support families and pensioners, as well as some of the local crisis support groups and Ukrainian families who have moved into Rossendale. There is more support coming in the autumn as the Government continues to respond to the challenges we face.

l Finally – I was promised that we will also soon have plans and timescales to tackle the parking problem across Rossendale.

I’ve again offered to work together and support these plans to fix this long running issue. If there is anything else either I, or your Conservative team, can do we are here to help.

The easiest way to reach us is via Facebook – search Rossendale Conservatives or email me at davidfoxcroft@ rossendalebc.gov.uk