Plans for luxury flats in mill could get go-ahead
STAR architect Ian Simpson’s controversial plans to convert a Grade I-listed mill into luxury flats could be rubber-stamped next week.
It could signal the beginning of the end of a long-running planning battle, which has seen thousands of people oppose the proposals.
The plans, drawn up by Beetham Tower architect Simpson, would see part of Rakewood Lower Mill near Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough demolished and the remaining buildings converted into flats to create 26 homes.
But the proposals, which would more than double the number of homes in the rural hamlet, have been met with fierce opposition from the community.
More than 4,000 people signed a petition opposing the application after it was first submitted in 2012, raising concerns about the impact on the green belt, increased traffic and the loss of historic buildings.
On Thursday, March 15, councillors in Rochdale will vote on the application and in a report planning officers have recommended it is approved.
But, under planning law, the final say could eventually be made by the Secretary of State.
Among those opposing the plans are the Littleborough Civic Trust, who while praising the design, said it was ‘unsympathetic to the area and shows little concern to fit in to what is already there’.
Rakewood Residents Association have also lodged an objection saying it would ‘change the character’ and be ‘historically damaging’ to the area.
Parts of the mill, which closed in the 1960s, date back to the mid 19th Century.
Under the plans the weaving shed and boiler house would be converted into 13 flats, while the textile mill would be demolished and 13 new homes built in its place in a ‘courtyard’ arrangement.
The chimney, described as ‘architecturally significant’ and ‘prominent’, would be repaired and preserved.
Despite saying the new build homes ‘comprise inappropriate development in the green belt’ planning officers have recommended the application gets the go ahead, because repairing and saving the remaining buildings outweighs the harm caused.
A report states: “It is unfortunate that some demolition is proposed, however I am satisfied that the proposal will greatly enhance the restored structures and the site as a whole, and revitalise the conservation area.
“If the site is left to decay, this would result in the loss of a both a locally listed building within a conservation area and another one of Rochdale’s textile mills.”