Controversial planning application at former Woolworths site in Castleton approved

Former Woolworths site in Castleton

Despite strenuous objections from residents, councillors agreed to plans that will see the roof of the former Woolworths site in Castleton increased in height and the building cladded.

Councillors sitting on the Rochdale Township Planning Sub Committee agreed to the proposals with conditions, which include working with the local residents and agreements made on lighting.

Speaking at the meeting, Resident Tom Brogan said: “The committee is asked to refuse the application for three reasons – height, light and noise.

"To increase the height of the warehouse by three and a half metres in a residential area will create an eyesore. Residents feel the roof is high enough already and would affect the visual amenity. Increasing the height would be out of keeping with all other buildings in the area. It would be overbearing and out of scale.

“The application proposes 24 hours/7 days a week operations. This will result in very high-powered floodlights being switched on, which will affect bedrooms on Smalley Street.

“There will be a significant increase in HGVs loading and unloading on the site. There will therefore be noise from HGVs driving and especially reversing and the noise of cages of goods being loaded/unloaded on to HGVs.”

Councillor Jean Hornby supported local residents and asked that councillors refuse the application and stated that the plans had “come as a surprise to local residents”.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Simon Pemberton stated that by increasing the roof height and cladding the building it would help with operations and argued that the site is in the “heart of an employment area”.

Discussing the application, Councillor Shah Wazir said: “We have looked at this application from every angle and have heard from objectors, the applicant and the ward councillor, but we have to look at what is in front of us and that is the re-cladding and re-roofing. I am mindful that we support the application because what is in front of us is reasonable.”

Councillor Lynne Brosnan suggested that the applicant work with residents to ensure that the cladding was appropriate.

She added: “If we refuse this then it will be appealed and we will lose and then that will cost the tax payer money and no one will have any say. I am trying to help everyone and sometimes we have to live with things we don’t want. I suggest that the applicant works closely with the residents over this plan. I know this decision is not what you want and it is disappointing.”

It is understood that the site owner is in advanced negotiations with a potential buyer, Tetrosyl, who will use the site for the warehousing and distribution of hazardous chemicals, something nearby residents are vehemently opposed to:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/98121/residents-hold-public-meeting-overs-fears-hazardous-chemicals-could-be-stored-at-former-woolworths-site-in-castleton