Forum slams ‘short time’ to have say on village’s vision
A RESIDENTS group has urged villagers to emphasise “the deficiencies” in a masterplan to deliver 400 homes - as part of a consultation ending next week.
Edenfield Community Neighbourhood Forum (ECNF) has also slammed the “ridiculously short” timeframe for residents to respond to the vision put together by developers Taylor Wimper and Anwyl Land.
The developers say they have created a “highquality masterplan” to deliver 400 homes - with a first phase of around 235 - on land west of Market Street, Edenfield.
They say their vision will “complement the surrounding village”, as well as meeting housing
requirements.
Ian Lord, chairman of ECNF, claimed the development is “overwhelmingly opposed by local residents”, and has questioned why the masterplan “omits” information including the precise number of homes and only makes “minimal”
reference to transport.
Recently removed from Green Belt, the site is included in Rossendale council’s adopted Local Plan within the Housing Allocation H66 for development of approximately 400 houses - provided that the “comprehensive
development of the entire site is demonstrated through a masterplan and in accordance with an agreed design code.”
In a statement, Mr Lord said: “We are surprised that the masterplan in the Taylor Wimpey/Anwyl consultation lacks any detail about the land in
H66 in other ownerships. The Local Plan is quite specific that the masterplan must be for the entire site.
“The consultation says 235 homes will be built in the developers’ first phase, but omits the crucial information about the number of homes in their second phase.
“At the very least, the masterplan should indicate how many dwellings will be built and where and when.
“The consultation period is only two weeks - which is ridiculously short in the summer holiday season.
“The developers suggest their scheme will be ‘community-led.’ The fact is that their development is overwhelmingly opposed by local residents.”
Mr Lord went on to claim that “a major concern” among the community was the “50 per cent increase in housing in a village which already has significant traffic problems.
“The minimal comment on this subject in the masterplan infers that this is not a significant problem, which is definitely not the case.
“Our Forum would encourage residents to respond to the consultation, emphasising the deficiencies in the masterplan as it stands.”
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey and Anwyl Land said: “We are committed to working with local people to deliver a scheme that integrates with, and provides benefit to, the community.
“Our plans will be developed in line with the Rossendale Local Plan and our vision is to deliver high-quality new homes that are urgently needed in the borough.
“The Market Street Masterplan consultation is the start of an active ongoing conversation with the local community and we will be consulting again as the plans progress.
“We are grateful to all those who have taken part in the consultation so far and encourage others to get in touch to share their views.”
A virtual exhibition will run until Wednesday, July 6. Consultation respondents can leave comments by visiting marketstreetmasterplan consultation.co.uk, calling 0333 358 0502 (Mon to Fri – 9am to 5.30pm), or emailing marketstreet masterplan@ havingyoursay.co.uk