Castleton taxi booking office granted subject to conditions by planning committee

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

848 Manchester Road

A change of application to transform an empty shop into a taxi booking office has been granted subject to conditions by Rochdale Borough Council’s planning committee.

The plan to run a taxi booking office had been recommended for refusal by officers, due to fears the parking bays outside would be ‘monopolised’ by taxi drivers at the expense of residents and shoppers.

The end-of-terrace retail unit is part of a parade of shops on Manchester Road, Castleton, which all have flats above them.

Earlier this year, Mohammed Razaq’s application to change the use of his vacant shop to a taxi booking office was thrown out by the committee.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127076/latest-decisions-of-council-planning-committee

However, the committee granted planning permission to subject to conditions on Thursday (8 August), contrary to officer recommendation. 

Proposed hours are from 8am – 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am – 8pm Sundays and Bank Holidays – reduced from opening 24 hours a day as first proposed.

A decision is to be issued once conditions regarding opening hours and soundproofing have been drafted.

Additional reporting: Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter