Residents cry foul in Ladybarn planning dispute

Milnrow residents say they are being 'willfully misled' by developers

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Over 300 objections to plans to build 42 apartments on the site of the former Ladybarn pub car park on Harbour Lane and adjacent land may not be considered by planners – because the original plans have been altered by just 50cm in height.

The revelation has come to light just ten days before councillors are due to make a decision on the controversial application at the Planning and Licensing Committee on Monday (5 February).

Local resident Nick Cunliffe said: “The original plans were for 42 apartments built over three blocks with 28 car parking spaces, a café and shop unit. The amendment has altered the total number to 40 units and moved it 1.5m in distance, but this does not change the original objections.”

Residents fear that their original concerns will simply be disregarded on a technicality – that this is a different application and people have not objected to the new scheme.

When the original plans were submitted, residents’ objections were as follows:

• The development is too big, too high and too close – some houses will have over 30 windows overlooking gardens and homes – in some cases, within just 2.5m
• All traffic access will be via Harbour Lane, a single lane road already over capacity with parking and traffic
• The development puts a new road and car parking right across a public footpath
• The increase in noise with a 24hr building will be significant
• Trees, roots and wildlife will be destroyed

Mr Cunliffe continued: “Because there was an amendment to the plan on 22 January, the council has had to write to all objectors with the changes, meaning some people did not receive notice until Friday (26 January) and some have not been contacted at all yet. Even if they get a letter by next Monday, then they will not have the chance to have their voice heard. This whole process stinks.”

Councillor Andy Kelly said: “What makes this development even more complicated is that it is being treated as one site and it is not. It is clearly two different sites that are split by a public right of way and used by hundreds of people every day. One is a brown field site on a former car park with plans for 12 apartments and the other is green field with 28 apartments, café and hairdressers, and both are being treated the same. They are not, they come under different categories in the Core Strategy.

“Additionally, in 2016 an application from another developer was submitted to build seven houses on the site. The council recommended strict noise limits on those houses between certain hours. How much noisier will 40 apartments be given they have 24 hours concierge service, plus a café and hairdresser?”

He added: “If people want to make sure that their objection is heard, then I suggest they submit it via the council website. To make sure their original objection stands then please quote, ‘I still object to this application despite the amendments’.”

The planning and licensing committee will make the decision on the application on Monday 5 February at 6.15pm in the training and development rooms of Number One Riverside, Rochdale.

People wishing to attend are advised to turn up around 15-20mins early to gain access.

Rochdale Council had not responded to an invitation to comment at the time of publication.

The planning application can be found at: 

http://publicaccess.rochdale.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=OTXY4JNBJK100