PROPOSAL IS IN DISTRICT PLAN

MUCH as I hate dragging discussions on, I must point out to your anonymous letter writer of last week that the point about needing more opportunities for small businesses was not mine (‘Looking on positive side’, Letters, December 4).

It was put forward by the council themselves in their own District Plan, probably as a result of reports by expensive consultants. These opportunities can include sympathetic new build as well as the reuse of old.

The problem with what little remains of our ‘green gateway’ at New Hall Hey is that it is so inaccessible for traffic and transport.

Any development on this site contradicts all the criteria that the council put forward in their plan, no doubt following Government advice, as needing to be met in employment areas.

As Scribbler says, the council is in a dilemma, having to find enough sites for both industry and housing as per Government requirements. It would be good to see Government representatives themselves faced with this problem, and just how well they could cope with having to break their own recommendations.

Kathy Fishwick

Chair, Rossendale Civic Trust

Pictured at the entrance to the railway tunnels in Waterfoot from left to right - Rossendale Conservative candidates Margaret Pendlebury, Laura-Beth Thompson, Jenny Rigby and Scott Smith