Park bid is on track
APUMP track for cyclists has got the green light from Rossendale council, “six years” after efforts to improve a park’s facilities for youngsters began.
However, the inclusion of nearby picnic benches nearly put a spoke in the wheels of the Edenfield Recreation Ground plan, with one resident claiming they would worsen antisocial behaviour.
Proffitts CIC applied for a track with associated raised banks, jumps, hard surfacing and drainage, split into two separate areas for beginners and advanced riders. Moisture-loving wildflowers and small shrubs would also be planted.
A father-of-two, speaking “on behalf of Exchange Street residents”, told the development control meeting the pump track element was “great”.
However, he was concerned the design would worsen nuisance – particularly in summer – from youths congregating at nearby steps. Mr Mead also referred to problems with residents from the halfway house, Chatterton Hey, “drinking and causing trouble”.
He said: “What we are opposed to is the picnic benches. Give them some more benches and they’re going to start hanging around there at night.
“I know the report that has come in says any potential anti-social behaviour will be dealt with by the police, but really I feel like we are creating a problem for the police later on.
“It’s me that has to ring the police or report it, or go there myself because the police don’t come out. What do you do at two o’clock in the morning?”
Mr Mead, who described the rec as a “quagmire”, said if the track could be set further back from the road, it would deter youths in their cars as the area would be “pitch black”.
Proffitts spokeswoman Rachael Gildert advised providing “something for the kids” had been felt to be beneficial in easing antisocial behaviour, and that if you can be clearly seen you’re less likely to cause such issues.
She added: “We think the seats are important. If I took my son I would want to sit down and spectate. We are quite happy to make changes to accommodate the needs of the residents – if it doesn’t involve too much alteration in terms of what’s here this evening.”
Coun Janice Johnson, speaking from the floor in support of the track, said: “Six years ago I was elected, and Mr Mead and the neighbours had already been working to try and enhance the play area for the children of Eden ward. It all stopped for Covid.
“All they wanted were some bike ramps. If I’d known it was going to take six years I might have popped to Halfords myself and bought some.”
At times tortuous technical discussions followed after officers advised the track probably did not
require planning permission anyway if it constituted ‘permitted development.’
Case officer James Dalgleish said: “If we move the track back outside the planning application’s red edge then, technically, it needs another planning application.
“If you approve it they could still get permitted
development. If it’s on council land they can do it on any of that land. We are just assessing what’s before us. That’s a large material consideration to consider – the fact that it doesn’t really need permission.”
Coun Patrick Marriott recommended deferral, adding: “I don’t see the point of approving a
scheme that seems to me like it’s not going to come to fruition.”
However, Coun Jackie Oakes said: “Having waited six years I don’t think there’s any need to defer it any longer. If the requests about moving the benches and moving the track further back can be negotiated I don’t see any need to defer.”