Planners support move to build new Aldi
ANEW Aldi store has moved a step closer after a report by planning officers.
A major application to Rossendale council for full planning permission for a new food store at the former Forest Mill off Henrietta Street, Bacup has been recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers.
A decision will be made by the development control committee next Tuesday, February 23, at 6.30pm.
Ten letters of objection have been received, along with 161 letters of support.
The report by the principal planner, recommends that committee members resolve they would be minded to grant planning permission and to delegate the determination of the application to the Head of Planning and Chair of Development Control Committee.
This would be to finalise details of the scheme - including the securing of a car park management plan detailing free parking (for customers and noncustomers) of no less than three hours and financial contributions totalling £48,800 towards a shared cycle/pedestrian route on land between the nearby Morrisons and the River Irwell, way marker signs, a handrail and three lighting columns and power to the steps located between Henrietta Street and Rochdale Road.
The report states that the food store would be single storey with a 1,856 square metres gross external area (sales area of 1,315 square metres), and 110 dedicated spaces.
The report concludes: “The proposed development will bring back into use a large, vacant and previously developed site which occupies a prominent position on the approach into Bacup, within the Urban Boundary.
“The site is ‘edge of centre’ however, the applicant has demonstrated through a Retail Impact Assessment and sequential assessment that the proposed development does not conflict with the National Planning Policy
Framework or Core Strategy in this regard. Subject to the use of planning conditions, and a Section 106 Agreement, the proposal is acceptable with regards to design, residential amenity, highway safety, landscaping and flood risk.”
Members of the public can visit the council website for details of how to view the meeting via Zoom.