Planners listened ... then ignored us

I WAS in the audience at the council offices on Monday, February 5, to object to the new flats being built behind the former Ladybarn pub in Milnrow.

There were scores of residents there to voice our real concerns about this over-development.

It is a tiny piece of land and yet the developer wants to squeeze 40 flats on the site.

The access is down a little back alley off Harbour Lane, which is already congested.

The buildings - up to three storeys in height - will overlook neighbouring properties.

Schools and local doctors are already full to capacity.

The planning committee politely listened to our objections. Then chose to ignore us. There are ample planning reasons to reject the application outright.

To our amazement it was our own councillor, Irene Davidson, who proposed the application should be deferred.

What a complete cop out.

Planning officers will now go away to make some minor changes to the plans that will in no way overcome our very real concerns.

There was only one councillor out of the whole planning committee who supported the residents: Councillor Neil Butterworth. Thank you. Rest assured, we as residents will continue to oppose this development. It is too big, too close and too high. Name and address supplied

SUCH RESPECT FOR TEACHER

ON Wednesday evening, January 31, I attended a Service of Celebration at St. Michael’s Church, Bamford, by the vicar, for the life of Aidan Gumbley who was a teacher at St Michael’s School for 31 years and deputy head for many of those years.

The church was packed and two things stood out; the respect the pupils had for Mr. G as he was known and the great appreciation they had for all he did to make their school life successful for them.

Also that so many young people returned to honour him and give a recital or recite a poem or give a reading, the staff, chairman of governors and the headteacher took part as well as the school choir. Every contribution was excellent.

A poignant occasion attended by Aidan’s wife and family, also children, parents and grandchildren of pupils.

Rochdale is lucky to have such a school and many others of similar quality.

I know because I have been a governor of several of them. Alderman Jane Gartside

MAYOR IS USELESS ROLE

I REFER to the Observer article (January 27) ‘Council tax bills to rise by £21 for police and mayor.’

I am fine about contributing to our police force, money well spent.

What I am not happy about is wasting £9 or whatever to fund the mighty Andy Burnham.

Even nine pence would ●●Today’s big picture is titled ‘Life’s not all black’ and taken by Justine Stuttard. Email your pictures to us at rochdaleobserver@menmedia.co.uk or upload them to flickr.com/groups/rochdalepics be a travesty!

All Mr Burnham represents is a useless role in a useless area, the name of which I will not bother to mention as it is not a proper county.

I am sure the many useless plans in the offering such as improving the transport (ha ha!) and destroying the green belt can be well achieved by a certain council.

There is no need to waste money by letting one clueless individual to do it.

Let’s add the £9 to the police.

At least they are useful! Gary Barlow Rochdale