Shop renovations halted on Yorkshire Street

Shop renovations at the old Keystone building on Yorkshire Street create a step entrance

Shop renovations at the old Keystone building on Yorkshire Street, have been halted due to planning and building regulations approval not being sought.

The entrance was previously a level entry, which was accessible to everyone but new tenants have raised the floor level, creating a big step at the entrance.

Rochdale Online asked the council for clarification, as buildings need to be accessible to everyone:

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 gives people with disabilities important rights to use and access services without being subjected to disability discrimination. There is a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve accessibility of services for people with disabilities.

Paul Moore, head of planning at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The alterations undertaken would appear to require both planning and building regulations approval, neither of which have been sought in this instance. An officer will therefore be visiting the premises and discussing the owner.”

Previous level shop entrance at the old Keystone building on Yorkshire Street (Photo: Google)