Residents group are facing homes defeat

A CONTROVERSIAL planning development has been recommended for approval by planning officers ahead of a decision by councillors.

McDermott Homes applied to build 71 houses in Bacup at grasslands known locally as the Back Meadows.

The Pennine/Fieldfare Way Residents

Association was formed in June following the application, with a change.org petition signed by more than 600 people.

A final decision is due to be taken by Rossendale council’s development control committee next week. In the papers prepared ahead of the meeting, the planning manager said they had received 116 objections, plus one ‘neutral’ response to the plans.

The 3.2-hectare site is bounded by Pennine

Road to the west, Goldcrest Avenue to the east, St Mary’s RC Primary School to the north, and Fieldfare Way to the south.

Objections included the removal of vital public green space/recreational land, increased traffic, impact on wildlife and infrastructure, overdevelopment, flooding, and noise pollution.

The officer recommends the application be conditionally approved, subject to a suitable section 106 planning agreement being secured, including a £96,986 financial contribution towards improving Hawthorn Road play area.

The statement adds that the council has a shortage of housing land supply, which ‘carries substantial weight in favour of the proposals’.

It states: “The development will of course result in a dramatic change to the character of the site and significant changes to the ways in which it is currently used, however the provision of on-site amenity greenspace and routes through the site will enable existing users to continue to use the space for walking and informal amenity, albeit on a lesser scale.

“Overall officers have concluded that the adverse impacts identified above do not significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the development.”

The planning committee will be held in the council chamber at Futures Park, Bacup at 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 10.