Plans for 119 homes on former mill site
DEVELOPERS are forging ahead with plans for a 119home development.
Gleeson Homes has applied to Rossendale council for the £14.5 million scheme, comprising semidetached houses at the 3.4-hectare former Spring Mill site, to the south west of Whitworth.
Gleeson say 323 leaflets were distributed to all households and businesses within half a mile of the site, off Westgate, as part of a community consultation in May. Issues raised by objectors included concerns about the capacity of local schools and doctor’s surgeries, local congestion, a need for social housing, loss of biodiversity and wildlife, and ‘dangerous’ accesses in icy weather.
The formal application has planning so far ●●Land near the planned housing development at Spring Mill in Whitworth and (inset) an artist’s impression of what the homes will look like received four objections, and Lancashire County Council has requested a contribution towards provision of education places.
Whitworth Town Council was due to discuss the matter at a meeting on Thursday, at 7.30pm in the Whitworth Civic Hall complex.
Healey and Whitworth town councillor Karen Ruane described it as ‘an awful lot of houses.’
She said: “One of the concerns is certainly the amount of housing and the amount of traffic that it will place on Market Street coming in.
“That’s one thing we will certainly be looking at. Another concern is infrastructure because we are only a small village.”
The site has an existing historic outline planning permission for 45 homes.
In its community involvement statement, the developer said all the matters have been carefully considered and individual technical reports carried out to address these concerns.
A spokesperson said: “Our homes are priced to suit local people and monthly mortgage repayments are often cheaper than local rent levels. We were recently voted the most sustainable plc in the UK and community is really important to us.
“Through our Community Matters package we will employ local people, offer apprenticeships for young people and work closely with local schools.”
The proposed development will comprise 32 twobedroom homes from £99,995, 79 three-bed houses from £124,995 and eight four-bed houses from £165,995 - all two storeys high. Access will utilise the existing access at the junction where Eastgate, Westgate and Wallbank Drive meet, and includes an upgrade of the junction to accommodate a suitable access.