Council ‘about face’ on Broad Lane planning appeal

Despite previous decisions by Rochdale Township and Township Planning Committees to oppose an appeal by developers seeking to build up to 200 new homes in the Broad Lane area on Protected Open Land, a decision has now been taken, at a meeting from which the media and public were excluded, not to oppose the planning appeal application by developers Taylor Wimpey and Wainhomes.

In what is  being seen as a ‘slap in the face’, the Broad Lane Action Group, (BLAG) has been told that this issue was given further consideration at the meeting; after reading reports described as ‘secret’, the committee decided to overturn their previous decision.

A BLAG supporter, who asked not to be named, told Rochdale Online: “We understand that councillors were instructed not to discuss the report or their reasons for overturning their earlier decisions in which councillors of all parties were keen to express their opposition to the plans. They all seemed to affirm their desire not to be seen to giving in to high-handed decision-making affecting our town by national planning officers. Now it seems that they have just crumpled in the face of opposition, have left us high and dry and are now just meekly going along with the developers. The whole group feels very badly let down.”

BLAG says it has produced evidence regarding the increase in traffic that the plans will bring, the risk of flooding, the scarcity of school places and the effect on wildlife habitat.

Last month, members of Rochdale Township Committee where told that an independent consultant had said that it was likely that any appeal would be lost and that costs of fighting this in legal and other fees could be in the region of £50,000; over a quarter of the Township’s annual budget.

The appeal to the National Planning Officer is due to start on 23 April and will be held in the Town Hall. It is expected to last for up to four days.

The council has been given the opportunity to respond, however, no response hads been forthcoming at the time of publication.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/72515/broad-lane-development-house-builders-go-on-pr-offensive

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/72857/broad-lane-protesters-win-for-now

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/69259/planning-application-to-build-close-to-accident-blackspot