Councillors’ disappointment after heated Ladybarn planning application approved

Milnrow and Newhey councillors Irene Davidson, Andy Kelly and Neil Butterworth have spoken of their disappointment after the highly controversial planning application on the site of the former Ladybarn car park was approved at Thursday’s (15 March) Planning and Licensing Committee.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117188/anger-as-controversial-planning-application-approved

Councillor Davidson, who proposed the application be rejected, said: “I haven’t slept. I’m devasted and I really feel for those residents. I had a sneaky feeling it would go through; I could sense it from the atmosphere, but I really hoped they would listen to the residents whose lives will be blighted by this. It’s scary, it’s too big, too close and too high.

“I understand the residents’ anger.”

Councillor Kelly said: “I’m bitterly disappointed the planning committee chose to approve an application with more than enough reasons to reject.

“You only have to look at the number of objections – over 400 – to see how strongly people feel about it. None of this was about the type of house, but the size, scale and proximity to existing residents.

“The planning process has been geared so far in the developer’s favour and against local residents. It’s little wonder the public has little esteem for the council or councillors. The applicant was given six or seven attempts at this and it should have been rejected after the first time.

“Pressure was applied due to a time-limited grant and councillors were pressurised into making an approval at the cost of the expense of people’s lives.”

Councillor Butterworth said: “The vote by the planning committee was outrageous. It was a slap in the face to the hundreds of local residents who opposed this development. 

“The site is too small to accommodate so many new homes and it will overlook neighbouring homes. It will lead to even more traffic problems on Harbour Lane and local health services are overstretched as it is. 

“I’m all in favour of building new homes, particularly for vulnerable people and the growing elderly population, but this was in the wrong place and the wrong size.

“My job as local councillor is to stand up for the best interests of the residents of Milnrow and Newhey. I will continue to fight against the overdevelopment of our villages.”

Residents reacted with anger when a highly controversial planning application on the site of the former Ladybarn car park in Milnrow was approved by councillors at Thursday’s (15 March) Planning and Licensing Committee.

Read more about the Ladybarn application:

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115698/residents-cry-foul-in-ladybarn-planning-dispute

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/113755/plans-submitted-to-build-42-supported-living-apartments-near-the-ladybarn

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/114175/plans-for-supported-living-apartments-on-harbour-lane-clarified