Homes England agrees consultation on former Akzo Site in Littleborough

Aerial view of Akzo Nobel site, Hollingworth Road, Littleborough

Homes England, the current owners of the former Akzo Nobel site in Littleborough, has agreed to engage with Littleborough Civic Trust in consultation on the controversial site.

The Akzo Nobel factory was demolished in 2008 after operations ceased in September 2004 with the land remaining vacant ever since.

The development of the site, which links Littleborough town centre and Hollingworth Lake, has been controversial with concerns consistently raised over contamination and the location of mine shafts.

Plans for 174 residential homes were approved in January 2015, despite objections from local residents.

Ian Jackson, Secretary of Littleborough Civic Trust said: “The Civic Trust will play an important part in the site’s development with an agreement that it will have a key role in developing a steering group and design panel for the site which will be involved in both the selection of the developer partner and then the development of new plans for the site. The Civic Trust will also work closely with RMBC and local councillors.

“Homes England acquired the site some time ago but they themselves will not build any homes. This has to be done by the private developers that are appointed.

“The Civic Trust’s engagement with Homes England can only be a positive step to put forward the hopes and concerns of the people of Littleborough, as they can now sit at the negotiating table and be included in the scrutiny of prospective developers as well as their proposals.”

Homes England, formerly the Homes and Communities Agency, is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115127/former-akzo-site-on-hollingworth-road-acquired-by-the-housing-and-communities-agency