In the latest twist in the Places for Everyone (PFE) saga the development at Crimble Mill came before the Rochdale planning committee this. Despite being included in the PFE report the application has been accelerated for a decision despite calls from greenbelt campaigners that this is highly irregular and premature of the finalised PFE report.
The decision which seeks to renovate the derelict, but historically important Crimble Mill, is a highly controversial application that straddles both Bamford ward in South Rochdale Township and North Heywood Ward in Heywood Township. Controversial because, although the application seeks to create 64 brownfield homes, the applicant has made them contingent upon the permission to build a further 150 homes in the greenbelt.
Notably absent from the planning meeting were the Liberal Democrats (who sent apologies) and Labour Councillor Peter Rush who is known to have a significant personal interest in the development at Crimble Mill,
Hundreds of objections had been received from residents in the immediate area who will be adversely affected by the development, along with more from across the borough who enjoy the greenbelt site as a local beauty spot prized for it's recreational value and as a well-documented home to hundreds and species of birds, mammals and insects.
As the application came to the committee residents packed Number One Riverside to ensure that the Councillors on the planning committee could be in no doubt about the strength of public opinion that this green belt site should not be developed. Conservative campaigners were amongst them and a highly emotive objection was put forward siting all manner of reasons why this application should have been refused.
Local horse riders objected on the grounds that the new access road will not be wide enough for safe equestrian access. The developed admitted that only 250m of the entire length of the access road would be widened to safely accommodate horses and their riders, further down the narrowing lane they would have to rely on small passing points.
Parents and grandparents spoke about the pressure that would be put on roads around the local school as hundreds of additional vehicles would need to get on and off the site, causing congestion, degraded air quality and a serious risk to the safety of children in increasingly busy traffic.
Campaigners spoke about the damage to wildlife and the natural habitats, which were specifically noted in the report.
Questions were raised about rights of way and whether the Councils own Rights of Way Officer had been fully consulted. Whilst the developer and Committee Chair said that this had all been done, residents were left astounded as the Rights of Ways Officer sat shaking her head, clearly disagreeing, the Chair refused to let the officer speak on the matter.
After a substantial debate the motion was moved by Conservative Councillor Peter Winkler and seconded by Councillor Angela Smith (also Conservative) to refuse the application on several grounds, the vote was take and lost as every Labour Councillor voted in favour of development.
Then Labour Councillors tabled the proposal to support development and moved to vote the proposal through saying that the decision to build 150 homes in the greenbelt was justified.
Conservative councillors and campaigners have pledged to stand with the Local residents and greenbelt campaign groups as the application now moves on the Secretary of State and are encouraging local people to write to Michael Gove to let him know that we want to Save our Greenbelt.
