Homes work to start in ‘flood risk’ area

STUART PIKE

WORK is expected to commence next month on a five-acre residential development to provide 30 luxury and affordable homes in a ‘ high flood risk’ area.

Last month Hurstwood Homes was granted reserved matters planning permission by Rossendale council for the Newchurch Meadows scheme, situated off Johnny Barn Close, subject to the discharge of condition 17 - a management and maintenance plan for the drainage system.

That approval has been delegated to the planning manager, chair of planning and an opposition spokesperson.

Designed by the Baldwin Design Consultancy, the controversial scheme comprises 30 three, four and five-bedroom large detached, semi-detached and mews houses.

Last month’s development control meeting saw a spokesman for Higher Cloughfold residents urge councillors to ensure drainage met standards set by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) - following devastating floods in the recent past.

Ahead of the meeting Kevin Kellett, flood risk management officer for the flood authority, had submitted a response highlighting his “genuine concerns regarding the maintenance of the interception swale, a critical surface water flood prevention feature” over the lifetime of the development.

However, he had also said these concerns could be satisfied at the preoccupation stage, rather than pre-construction.

Hurstwood Homes say they plan to start works on site in September, with the first houses being released to market soon after, and the first phase of houses available for occupation in late 2021.

Sam Ashworth, project director at Manchesterbased commercial investment group Hurstwood Holdings, said: “Having now expanded our investment operations nationwide, we are proud to be working once again in Rossendale and continuing to contribute strongly to the local economy and housing market where we have been a large part of for well over 30 years.”

Mr Ashworth added:

“Throughout the design process, we maintained an open dialogue with Rossendale council and made the relevant suggested changes to create a scheme that would complement the town.

“Newchurch Meadows has been sensitively designed using natural finishes to create a seamless transition between the scheme and the local agricultural style surroundings whilst respecting the existing ecological landscape.”

●● One of the planned Hurstwood homes, off Johnny Barn Close