Plan for 40 homes on farmland in Rossendale splits opinion
Multiple locals have objected
Forty new homes, including affordable ones, could be built on farmland edging a Rossendale town, with thousands of pounds paid by the developer towards local sports sites.
But the plan has prompted objections from some people living nearby, who fear too many homes, traffic and drainage problems, and the loss of green space.
RDK Construction (BL8) Ltd wants outline permission for up to 40 homes and access on land at Lower Carr Farm, off Yarraville Street, Rawtenstall. More detailed home designs and layout will come later, if the outline plan is approved. RDK is working with JPE Consultancy of Stalybridge.
Planning documents for RDK say the site is allocated for housing development in Rossendale Council’s local plan. The application says: “The site will be enhanced through a managed landscape along the eastern boundary and a further area of managed landscape near Hall Carr Road.”
The application says the main effects on the landscape will be ‘localised and limited to the site’, resulting from the loss of rough grassland and open land. But the nature of the development will be ‘not wholly uncharacteristic’ within the area on the edge of Rawtenstall.
It adds: “The development would not result in the loss of any rare or unique features and would affect only a very limited area. It would have a negligible visual impact on the setting of the Rawtenstall Conservation Area, with intervening buildings and woodland effectively screening any views towards the proposed development.”
However, some local people have objected. Mark Shorrock has written to the council saying: “There is already an approved high-density scheme locally for 44 houses and this scheme of 40 houses,is an even higher-density. Having 84 homes across both schemes will swell the Hall Carr estate.
“I don’t believe any of the submitted reports on traffic, drainage, environmental impact, heritage and landscape have taken this into consideration. Rossendale Council should take into account the cumulative effect of these issues and insist the developer fully-reports on how they impact the estate and residents below.”
Another objector, Ian Thornton, said: “We struggle to park our vehicles on Hardman Avenue and most people have to park on the pavements. Some have driveways but if you live on the odd numbers side, there is a very large drop down and it’s very difficult to construct a drive. Extra new properties would cause more parking chaos.”
And Thomas Williams, also of Hardman Avenue, has concerns about the loss of privacy, green space and drainage and flooding. He said: “The proposed development will result in the direct loss of a significant area of green space. This is contrary to planning policies to protect and enhance green infrastructure.
“The loss of green space will have a detrimental impact on the landscape character of Rawtenstall. The area provides valuable habitat for wildlife. And the loss of green space is a public health issue too, with proximity to green spaces linked to improved mental health and well-being for people.”
Rossendale planning officers are advising councillors to ‘be minded’ to grant outline planning permission and allow a planning chief to finalise agreements with the developer. Suggestions included a minimum 30 per cent of affordable homes, a developer’s contribution of over £21,000 towards an indoor sports facility and £5,700 towards natural and semi-natural green space. Also £640 towards allotments, £1,000 per new house towards a playing pitch elsewhere, and a play area at the new estate.
Rossendale’s planning committee will consider it on Tuesday, March 3.