Healey Con Club plans approved
PLANS for a redevelopment of a social club building have been approved, in spite of objections from residents and local councillors.
The proposal for the construction of two rear dormers and a side linkextension to an existing residential unit above Healey Conservative Club in Whitworth was approved by Rossendale council’s planning committee.
Senior planning officer James Dalgliesh told the planning meeting there were three objections from members of the public to the Market Street scheme.
They raised concerns over the development being too high, inadequate parking provision, loss of light, loss of privacy and noise nuisance.
Another objector said it was out of keeping with the area and would cause an increase in traffic.
Mr Dalgliesh said there was also an objection from Whitworth town council on the grounds of loss of privacy and parking.
Speaking in favour of the proposal, applicant Phil Reed told councillors that residential use had already been established and it did not involve a material change of use from previously approved matters.
Addressing the objections, he said: “The scheme is for extensions only and not to change already established use.
“The club only opens two days a week – that is a Thursday and a Friday. There are no additional bedrooms from those approved, therefore no change of parking requirements. It is not a material change of use as such the objections in the main are not relevant.”
Coun Andrea Fletcher backed the development.
She said: “The parking is obviously very problematic in the area because it’s just literally on the road. The opinion of highways was that one of the rooms is being changed from a public use to a private use with the apartment. They actually feel it would lead to a reduction in footfall.
“As regards the actual appearance, I don’t think the changes would make much impact on neighbours as regards size but I think it would actually tidy up the area and make it look quite appealing from the back.”
Coun Karl Kempson said the plan would ‘enhance the area’.
He said: “It will make a fantastic living area. Parking has been sorted.”
The application, which had been recommended for conditional approval by officers, was approved unanimously by the committee.