20 homes planned for community centre site

PLANS to build 20 ‘high quality’ family homes on the site of a former community centre have been redrawn following concerns from residents and school bosses.

B&E Boys submitted a planning application to Rossendale council involving the demolition of the former Oakenhead Resource Centre, on Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall - as we reported in January.

Nearly 20 complaints were received during a public consultation over parking, traffic and access issues.

Headteachers at St James the Less RC and St Mary’s CE primary schools welcomed the scheme, but also raised ‘specific concerns relating to traffic and the safety of their pupils’.

Planning agents Hourigan Connolly said changes have now been made to ‘not only ensure that the new development would not have a severe impact on the local highways network, but which take the opportunity to improve the current highways situation’.

The new measures include: reducing the width of Unity Way to prevent parking on both sides of the road; placing white ‘H marks’ on the road outside each private driveway to stop people parking across the entrances; bollards placed at 3m gaps along the edge of footpaths between driveways to stop cars parking on the footpaths; and three new pedestrian crossings.

The existing ‘School Keep Clear’ markings will also remain as well as the ‘School Buses Only’ dedicated parking area to the north of Unity Way.

Hourigan Connolly said traffic flow and parking surveys confirm there is ‘sufficient capacity’ to accommodate the development. Residents had also raised concerns about possible flooding risk, however the Environment Agency said the area is ‘low risk’ at less than 0.1 per cent.

Planning documents sent to the council said: “As a result, following a further meeting with the schools, they are now comfortable that their concerns have been addressed as far as they possibly can be.

“The application site is in an excellent location for residential development, which will complement and improve the existing neighbourhood in the immediate locality.

“The proposed dwellings comprise high quality family homes, and will help to diversity the housing offer within Rossendale and will contribute to the promotion of Rawtenstall as a desirable location.”