Traders vow to ‘fight every step of the way’ after developer reveals housing plans for business park

Traders have vowed to ‘fight every step of the way’ after plans to build more than 200 homes on a ‘thriving’ business park were revealed.

Firms at Fieldhouse Industrial Estate, in Rochdale, have long feared they could be turfed off the site after learning landlord BizSpace was ‘exploring’ the possibility of redevelopment.

They claim up to 1,000 jobs could be lost – including suppliers – and that many will struggle to find new premises that are both suitable and affordable.

Council leader Allen Brett recently warned developers that any application for new housing would be rejected as the site is earmarked as an employment zone.

But Countryside Properties has now come forward with a proposal for 206 homes on the 13-acre site off Whitworth Road – half of which will be ‘affordable’.

In documents submitted to the council the firm claims the scheme will provide an ‘attractive, high quality’ area to live in. It adds that half of the ‘much-needed’ family homes would be affordable.

The planning document states: “The proposed development will enhance the physical appearance of the surrounding area through the redevelopment of a brownfield site in a sustainable location, providing environmental improvements, an improved public realm, and good design.”

Countryside also claims it will bring economic benefits to the area.

Traders say they are in no mood to give up their livelihoods without a fight – and have the backing of the community.

Beverly Horne – who runs Dale Event Hire with husband John says – tenants are ‘absolutely determined we are going to fight it every step of the way’.

“The response has been unbelievable, not just from the tenants and businesses that have come out but tons of residents, it’s been overwhelming really,” she said.

“We have been told by the council that it’s a designated employment zone, they don’t have the grounds to flatten 70 businesses just like that so they can build a new housing estate.”

Read more: Council leader hits out at plans to build more than 200 homes on a ‘thriving’ business parkPublished: 06 August 2020

A transport assessment carried out for Countryside Properties says the proposed housing estate would generate less traffic than the industrial park and have a ‘minimal’ impact on local roads.

That claim is hotly disputed by many local residents and businesses.

Beverly said: “We live locally as well and residents are absolutely fuming at the thought of 200 homes being placed at that site. 

“Whitworth Road is horrendous seven days a week. It’s always, always chaotic. To place another 200 homes there would just be ridiculous, it would be stupid.

“Every home these days has at least one car, maybe two, you would be putting 400-odd cars into the mix on an already congested main road.”

“Speaking from a business point of view – and a local resident’s point of view – I can’t see anything in there other than property people making a quick buck. I can’t see any positives whatsoever.”

Dale Event Hire hoped to reopen this month, but the impact of the coronavirus crisis has meant this was not possible.

Beverly says many of the businesses at the estate – which includes a boxing ring manufacturer, a brewing company and an LPG-conversion firm – are still ‘thriving’.

But she fears those small and medium-sized enterprises could struggle to find a suitable new home, should the housing plan come to fruition

“Those are the sort of businesses going to get on Fieldhouse. They are not multinationals who can up and leave and find somewhere else to go,” she said.

“We have had people saying ‘big deal’ but, at the end of the day, with finding somewhere that fits our needs and is affordable and there are not that many people around that do that.”

A spokesperson for BizSpace said: “We have two business centres in Rochdale and are currently exploring interest in our site on Fieldhouse Road from a housebuilder, which has submitted a planning application to convert it to residential use given the shortage of housing in the area.

“Any sale of the site would be subject to a number of conditions, including site surveys and securing planning consent. We have made customers aware of this process and will update them when there is any firm news.

“For now though, it is business as usual. Whatever the outcome, we are committed to supporting our small business customers, treating them fairly and helping them continue to operate and grow their businesses.”

Read more: Full details of the planning application can be found here

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter