Residents’ mixed views on major housing development
ONLY the Secretary of State stands in the way of 49 new homes being built on a split brownfield and greenbelt site in Norden.
The houses are to be built on the old Shepperd Mill and Tack Lea Works site and will be all classed as shared affordable housing.
Residents, business owners and workers in immediate proximity to the site off Greenbooth Road have given their thoughts. Hannah Larkin, 27, works at Charliequinns Doggie Den a dog day-care and grooming business that has been next to the brownfield site for six years and lives on Edenfield Road.
She said: “My first thought was traffic, because the traffic is already horrendous in Norden and Edenfield Road, so it’s probably just going to make the traffic a million times worse.
“Originally when we first saw the plans, we all panicked because it looked like it was on top of us – but it’s going to be literally right behind us.”
Owner of Norden Carpets and Flooring, another business on Greenbooth Road, David Wilshaw, 58, reiterated the potential problems 49 new houses might bring. He said: “It obviously adds traffic to the village. It’s an awkward village to get out of in the morning because there is just one road out of it.”
The old mill site has been closed for years and has become a neglected collage of decaying brick and mortar. One resident who lives on Greenbooth Road, Nick Davis, 56, sees the benefits of building on a brownfield site while sacrificing a little bit of greenbelt, even with the expected increase in traffic flow.
He said: “I think it’s an eyesore the unused units, and although it would involve the trees being felled, I think the area would be improved by the new properties.”
He added “Obviously the road that I live on isn’t suitable for access to the 49. They’re looking at building a new road there, which would fell some of the trees, but in principle I have no objection.”
Mr Wilshaw echoed this point, equally describing the derelict mills as ‘an eyesore.’ He said: “It can only look better when it’s done, that’s the main thing. They built across the road there [Black Pits Road] that was an old mill. That looked a mess, but it’s lovely down there now, so providing they keep it in context with the village and the surrounding area I can’t see it being a problem.”
The 49 houses are slated to all be shared, affordable housing, something locals believe is much needed.
Pub landlord Simon Britton, 50, of the Bridge Inn, which is situated directly opposite the entrance to Greenbooth Road, was sceptical about the nature of the affordable housing, but could see the benefits. He said: “It does need more like that because young people in Norden won’t be able to afford to get the standard that their mums and dads have got. It’s quite an affluent area so I think it would be good.”
The pub landlord from Heywood called the site a ‘tip’ and described the plans as a ‘good thing.’ He said: “It’s a derelict site at the minute so anything to make it better as long as they do it to make it look right.
“It would bring more people into the community. It’s just a disused load of rubble.”
He joked: “The only trouble is we might have to turn the karaoke down a little bit!”
The only person that could stop the project from going ahead now is the Secretary of State who, due to the fact a small area of the proposal spans the green belt, can call the application in for deliberation.
Normally building on the green built is unauthorised, however exceptions can be made for projects that can prove benefits that outweigh or offset greenbelt reclamation.
The development is the brainchild of three companies, Great Places Housing Group, Stonebond Properties, and Empire House Piccadilly.
The 49 dwellings would be split into 17 two-bedroom, 22 three-bedroom, and 10 four-bedroom houses on the plot.
Rochdale Borough Council recommended to grant permission for the proposal to go ahead, subject to the Secretary of State, on November 23.
The Secretary of State’s consideration period expires on December 18. At that point a decision on whether to call-in the application will have been made.
A spokesperson for The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it would be inappropriate to comment on the application before a decision is made.