‘Concerns’ over dance studio bid

ROADS chiefs have raised “grave concerns” about a retrospective planning application for a dance studio.

Charlotte Ormerod, of McCaw School of Dance, has applied to Rossendale council for the proposal at 1 Water Lane, Edenfield.

In his response to the application Simon

Hardie, development support officer of Lancashire County Council’s highways department, said: “We would raise an objection to the application as it has been presented. There are grave concerns regarding the off street parking.

“Although a number of spaces have been shown on the plan there is insufficient space to allow a vehicle to enter or exit them.

“Taking guidance from Rossendale’s local plan, a leisure building (planning class F2) such as they [sic] should have six off street parking spaces, all of which should be accessible independently.”

The school, which also has a base in Haslingden, provides classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Body conditioning and limbering to children and adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

In the application, Ms Ormerod wrote: “I propose to change the use of the site, 1 Water Lane, Edenfield, to be a Dance studio with the added potential of being able to also provide some outreach to local community groups.

“The space is to be used as a rehearsal and dance educational space only and not as a performance venue.”

Three objections from members of the public have been submitted, with one referencing collection of a petition of over 25 local residents.

They wrote: “There has been no forward planning been made by the owner of the dance school at all to make provisions for parking facilities for the visitors. It has had a massive impact upon the area and upon people’s lives causing a lot of distress.”