'The Planners' features Rochdale

Rochdale will feature in a new prime time BBC television series later this month. 'The Planners', an observational documentary following planning issues and the sometimes contentious processes behind them, began last week. Rochdale features in episode three due to be broadcast on 14 February and then in episodes five and seven.

The eight-part series, which was filmed in Rochdale last summer, aims to lift the lid on the decisions behind planning approvals and refusals. Over the next few weeks it promises to reveal the secrets of the planners, the misconceptions of home owners as well as exposing those with a blatant disregard for regulations.

Rochdale Council was the first to agree to take part in the project and in early 2012 a successful pilot episode was filmed in the borough before the series, which has been produced at Media City in Salford, was commissioned by BBC2.

Peter Rowlinson, Director of Planning at Rochdale Borough Council, said it was something the authority was pleased to be involved in: "It's not something that we've done before, and it's not often that television cameras get unrestricted access to the whole process, but I think that's what makes it so interesting for viewers. From the beginning I was interested in what they were looking to do."

Rochdale stories to be included in the series include residents in Eden Street who clash with developers who want to build three new homes at the end of their cul-de-sac, two local entrepreneurs who want to build four log cabins on greenbelt in the Birtle Conservation Area and a dispute over the design of an extension to a community centre on Fishwick Street.

Look out for appearances from local councillors too as filming included site visits as well as various planning committee meetings.

Also featuring will be Planning Team Leader Rebecca Coley, who graduated from Manchester before completing a post graduate planning qualification at Sheffield University. She said she had to get used to the cameras filming her day to day work, on site and in the office:

"It felt strange at first, but after a while you do get more used to it ... as it's an observational documentary you've just got to be yourself and keep as calm as possible whilst you get followed by a film crew! I took them to see various sites and explained how the planning process works. I was also filmed presenting the cases at planning committees and interacting with applicants and objectors. I actually really enjoyed the experience."

Viewers will also see Rebecca away from the pressures of work, enjoying family life and her musical hobby.

Cameras even filmed from the roof of the Municipal Offices on Smith Street to get a bird's eye view of all the regeneration under way in Rochdale town centre.

"All the major new construction that's under way in Rochdale together with our heritage and mix of rural and urban landscapes provided a really good selection of stories for the series, so we hope it gets a good reception from viewers. We're always keen to keep the planning process as transparent as possible, but ultimately this is quite a light hearted programme, funny and fascinating at the same time", Peter Rowlinson added.

'The Planners' continues every Thursday at 8pm on BBC2.