11 projects changing face of Valley
ROSSENDALE is undergoing a number of exciting changes that could change the face of the borough forever.
From small housing estates to multi-million pound town restoration projects, lots is happening across the East Lancashire area’s towns and villages.
Here we look at 11 major projects:
●● New houses for Helmshore
A new housing project for 14 homes has been given the go-ahead in Helmshore.
The development, at Wavell House off Holcombe Road, will see current offices on the site demolished.
Wavell House is currently home to debt enforcement firm Rossendales Ltd. And while the lease runs out this year the company had previously expressed the interest in an earlier termination.
●● Iconic bank will be transformed
Bacup’s Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank will be transformed through hundreds of thousands of pounds of heritage charity money.
The iconic former bank has been awarded £300,000 by the Architectural Heritage Fund in the second round of its transformational project grants to revitalise England’s local high streets and town centres.
Valley Heritage CIO are converting and repurposing the bank, built in 1878, into mixed commercial and residential use.
●● Town centre transformation
Multi-million plans to transform Bacup town centre have been revealed by council bosses.
Stunning artists impressions show plans for the formation of a market square by the removal of the imposing three-story former Barclays Bank building. The current market would then be remodelled with two new buildings added to accommodate an indoor market and food hall and a separate cyclists’ café, accommodation, repair shop and five retail units.
The £11.5m plan was revealed in a four-page advertorial feature taken out by the council in a June edition of the Rossendale Free Press.
●● Past glories to return to the Waterfoot Arcade?
The iconic Waterfoot Arcade could be brought back to life through its new owner. The venue was closed 70 years ago and has lay dormant ever since.
MP Jake Berry said there are a “wealth of possibilities” that the Arcade could be used for, and everything is being considered.
He said: “The next step is to work with the Council and owners to see if we can secure the investment to help restore the building to its former glory. It’s going to be a big job and although it’s not going to happen overnight I’m delighted that the future is at last looking bright for one of the Valley’s most loved historic buildings.”
●● Coffee on the go is on the cards
A new Starbucks could be coming to the Rising Bridge Service Station off Blackburn Road.
Euro Garages Ltd is behind the project which has currently been put on ice by councillors after members raised concerns about traffic and other issues. Planning documents said the shop was envisaged to create five fulltime and 15 part-time jobs.
●● New houses - but flood concerns remains
A controversial housing estate has moved a step closer - but developers still need to fully satisfy planning chiefs’ fears over flooding three years after it was given the green light.
Rossendale Council’s development control committee heard fears from Higher Cloughfold residents over Hurstwood Holdings’ reserved matters application for 30 homes to the north of Johnny Barn Close - a ‘high flood risk’ area. Fifty-three objections had been received.
●● Apartments plan for former pub
A former Haslingden pub could be turned into new apartments.
The Foresters Arms in Pleasant Street recently closed - and a planning application has now been submitted to Rossendale Borough Council to turn the former watering hole into four self-contained apartments. The two-storey building has a single storey rear extension and a small rear yard and is on the end of a terraced block with a traditional double front.
●● Jobs boost through new nursery
The planned development of Bright Futures Early Learning Centre on Futures Park in Bacup is now being built. Rossendale Borough Council approved the project at an extraordinary meeting of the full council on June 24. Construction started in July, with the centre set to provide nursery and childcare provision for newborns to four-year-olds.
●● Museum gets big investment
An exciting £1.9m lotteryfunded transformation of The Whitaker has begun after local firm B&E Boys was awarded the contract.
The Rawtenstall project, which includes converting the former barn and stables, is being delivered by Rossendale Borough Council in partnership with the Whitaker CIC.
It has received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund with matched funding of £189,950 from the council.
●● £1 million boost for former cinema
A run-down cinema building in Bacup is to be restored and repurposed following the town being granted over £1million in funding. The former Regal Cinema is one of 22 buildings which will be renovated as the town becomes a High Street Heritage Action Zone, and £1.085m in grant funding has been confirmed. The properties will be given ‘a new lease of life’ but retaining their original architectural features, by using ‘traditional materials and techniques’.
●● New town square on the horizon
A new town square, a revitalised market and improved pedestrian links could be coming to Haslingden, if Rossendale Council can secure funding for the £2.5million project.
Haslingden 2040, a new website, has been put together to support the bid for The National Lottery Heritage funding.
The masterplan for the town, which is still a work in progress, includes the creation of a landscaped pocket park centred around a statue of William Cockerill, behind shops on Higher Deardengate linking to the town’s market.