Group is formed to fight plan for 71 homes
ARESIDENTS association has been formed to fight ‘mad’ plans for 71 new homes.
McDermott Homes has applied to Rossendale council for permission for 71 three- and four-bedroom houses in Bacup.
The Pennine/Fieldfare Way Residents Association formed last week in response to the proposal for land known locally as the Back Meadows, and has gained 125 members.
The association said there were a number of reasons for contesting the application, including loss of recreational land, traffic, the impact on schools and local infrastructure, and flood risk.
Spokesperson Janet Boon said: “We feel really strongly about this.
“The main problem is we use it as a recreation area.
“I’ve lived around there for 30 years and they’ve built up the back and side of it, but they’ve always had that bit.
“We knew something was coming as they fenced it off. We walk the dogs on it. People have picnics on there, it’s lovely.
“There’s lots of wildlife;
deer come on there and we know there’s badger setts on there.
“It’s not just the houses that back on to it which are affected, it’s the whole area.
“The group itself has put out 700 of the planning letters and posted them to homes all round. I’m hoping for a really big support on this.”
The group is also calling for full details of the land ownership to be disclosed, amid rumours Rossendale council agreed to sell the land at last month’s full council meeting, where the public and press were excluded. The council declined to comment on this.
Janet said: “A meeting took place behind closed doors two weeks ago. Are we even getting the right price for the land? It’s just mad.”
Earlier this month we reported that McDermott Homes, which also owns the adjacent Woodland Grange development, were consulting on their pre-application submission, having leafleted 90 homes in the vicinity.
The application states that the site is currently ‘a vacant area of grassland, with remnants of a disused BMX track located in the centre, comprising of a dirt track, artificial mounds and part of a concrete slab.’ It proposes an allocation of two cars per house - a total of 142 extra vehicles.
The design and access statement adds: “The proposals will ensure that the new development will compliment the local surroundings and will fit comfortably with the existing housing located near the site.
“Several green spaces are proposed within the development which will be well connected to form an important part of the green network that surrounds the site.
“None of the habitats within the site are of significant interest nor representative of semi-natural habitat.
“The provision of 71 new dwellings on the site would provide a significant contribution towards Rossendale Borough Council’s overall housing needs within a sustainable location.
“A valid drainage strategy has been prepared and a flood risk assessment carried out for the site that adequately mitigates flood risk both on and off the site.”
The closing date for representations on the application is Friday, June 28.
McDermott Homes was contacted for a comment.