Councillors throw out plans for 303 new homes in Middleton

Plans to build more than 300 homes have been thrown out by Middleton councillors.

In a meeting of the Middleton Township Planning Sub Committee on Wednesday 30 July, councillors made a decision on the proposal to build 303 new homes on land off of Oldham Road at the back of British Vita.

Rock Co Asset Managers, the company behind the proposals, had not revealed its final plans for the 13.5 hectare plot but sought council approval to build a 950 metre road between Oldham Road and Hilton Fold Lane to access the proposed housing estate.

Middleton councillors rejected the plans on the basis that it goes against the Town Hall’s Unitary Development Plan – after the applicants admitted plans to cut short resident's allotments by 13 metres.

The council received 19 letters of objection from residents with some stating that the wildlife in the area would be affected by the development.

Ward councillor Donna Martin was against the plans and described plans for a car park for Oldham Road residents at the back of the Old Cock Inn pub as “unfair and unsafe”. 

Councillor Alan Godson and Councillor Malcolm Boriss were also against the plans.

It was decided that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee be advised that the Sub-Committee recommends refusal of planning permission on the grounds that:

• The development would result in the permanent loss of a large area of protected recreational open space.
• Unacceptable narrowing of the Green Space Corridor.
• Obstruction of established public rights of way without adequate compensatory provision being made elsewhere within the site.

The proposal will now be referred to Rochdale Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee for determination.