Sudden residents oppose sale of RBH land 'that would remain a maintained green space'

Residents of Lloyd Street in Sudden have handed a petition in to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, opposing the sale of some land to a developer.

The land used to have garages on before they were demolished around 14 years ago, and the site was subsequently grassed over and shrubs planted.

Residents say they were “assured the land would remain as a green space and be maintained.”

However, after a resident was told he would need to move his garage, it emerged that the land is being sold.

Lloyd Street residents have expressed their concerns over right of access, which also saw building plans for the neighbouring site of the former Sudden Community Centre withdrawn last year.

Proposed plans to build were withdrawn after the residents objected due to compromised access for Lloyd Street and other neighbouring areas.

 

 

Pam Wiseman, a resident of the street who has signed the petition, said: “Residents were assured that when the garages were demolished, the land would remain as a green space and be maintained.

“Residents were not made aware of the proposed sale until one was informed, he would have to move his garage. He has owned this garage for 14 years – and just paid 12 months’ ground rent to RBH – because the land was being sold.

“There is a footpath on one side of the street which is a dead end and the street is only the width of two cars with nowhere to turn.

“If the land is no longer available for existing residents, they will have to reverse onto a street with a blind corner.
“At the moment, there is a right of access to the other side of this land which is used as an exit and this same right of access is used by one resident to access a garage which has been used for over 20 years.

“The planning for the houses on the community centre land was submitted in April 2022 and was withdrawn in June 2022 after myself and the residents on Lloyd Street objected and submitted their objections to the council.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing said: “We are fully focused on making sure that our existing homes are safe and secure, and meet the standards that our tenants expect.

“The sale of this plot of land will help us to do this.”