Council planners accused of arrogance

Parking spaces reserved for disabled patrons at the new Moon Furniture store on Roch Valley Way could not be further away from the entrance

Rochdale Council Planning Department has been accused of arrogance and a lack of understanding in ignoring a request for an explanation as to why they have insisted on disabled parking spaces at the new Moon Furniture store on Roch Valley Way being located as far as possible from the entrance on the other side of the car park, making it particularly difficult and dangerous for wheelchair users who have to jockey with cars to cross the car park to the entrance.

On the 11 April, Rochdale Online reported the comments of a spokesman for Moon Furniture who said: "Originally in all our plans the disabled parking was to be at the front near the doors and was always intended to be there - as shown in our plans before we got planning permission. However, unfortunately Rochdale Council changed their minds on the requirements.”

We asked the Council media team to obtain an explanation from the Planning Department – we are still waiting for that explanation!