‘Garden centre’ gets green light
AGARDEN centre development has been approved, despite objections over “catastrophic” traffic and safety issues.
Planning permission has been granted for Golf Rossendale to build a ‘horticultural nursery’ at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall. The application was for one polytunnel and a building for plant sales.
Rossendale council’s planning committee approved the plans sub- ject to conditions, despite objections from Rossendale Triathlon Club, Marl Pits Leisure Centre, and Rossendale Harriers and Athletic Club over concerns that the shared narrow lane, off Newchurch Road, could not accommodate increased traffic.
In his objection, Ken Masser, executive director of Rossendale Leisure Trust, said: “The access road is too narrow, the entrance too small and dangerous.
“As other site users continue to expand this is becoming increasingly problematic. Adding an additional business to the site would be catastrophic.”
Graeme Courtney, of Rossendale Triathlon Club, said the route of their triathlon event may now have to be changed to cope with extra traffic in the area.
He said: “It will create problems for the event, and we did object along with a number of another sports groups.”
In his application Robert Killelea emphasised that the access road has ‘passing places’, and said the car park for the driving range has ‘adequate space’. In their report, planning officers stated that it would not be a “typical ‘ garden centre’ with the usual retail focus” and would only have a “very small ancillary retail element”.
But Lancashire County Council’s highways development control said there are ‘pinch points on the road, which if traffic increases “could cause traffic to back up onto the main road as there is ‘insufficient space’ for vehicles to pass.
The developer has agreed to create a ropedoff walkway to ensure the safety of pedestrians along the road.
Scott Grundy, managing director of Golf Rossendale, said: “It will be a great asset to the Marl Pits complex and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.
“Our neighbours at the rugby club supported the plans, and as part of the development the route through Marl Pits will be improved, providing better pedestrian access and preventing vehicles from parking along the roadside, making it safer for all users of the sports facilities.”