Controversial plan for new homes in Littleborough seeks to move forward

A controversial plan to build 61 new homes on land to the west of New Street in Littleborough is seeking to move forward after the developer submitted a new planning application to comply with past coal mining activity on the site.

Russell Homes instructed an environmental consultancy to issue a report along with an enabling works strategy for the development.

The plans, which were approved in May subject to conditions, include building two homes for the care of children, and ten of the 61 houses are set to be designated as affordable according to a statement submitted as part of the original planning application.

Littleborough residents have previously protested against the plans due to concerns over increased pressure on local roads and transport that could come with an influx of new homes.

The original planning application for the proposed 61 homes received more than 600 objections on the council’s planning portal.
 

Read more: Fury as controversial housing plan gets green light despite protest and hundreds of objectionsPublished: 26 May 2023

A Facebook group named ‘Residents Against Russell Homes New Street West Development’ was set up to oppose the development and is currently approaching 400 members.

A condition of the planning application for the new homes requires the developer “to establish the risks posed to the development by past coal mining activity” and “address land instability arising from coal mining legacy” in order to move forward with the work.

Russell Homes is the company behind the scheme and has already built more than 100 homes in the neighbouring Stubley Meadows development in the area, 15 of which remain unsold according to the company’s website.

 

 

Rochdale is one of the Greater Manchester boroughs which is signed up to the Places for Everyone scheme, which is the region’s long-term development plan for housing.

Rochdale council recently declared a housing emergency in the borough due to a shortage of available social housing impacting residents.

According to council figures, there are currently around 10,000 people waiting to be rehoused in Rochdale, with a wait of up to five years.
 

Read more: Crisis declared in Rochdale as 10,000 waiting for homes told of five year waitPublished: 25 October 2023

Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporter