Simon Danczuk backs campaigners against housing development

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has leant his support to campaigners fighting to stop developers building more than 100 homes on green space.

Russell Homes has approached Rochdale Borough Council to request planning permission for 110 houses on land off New Road in Littleborough.

On September 1, Mr Danczuk attended a public meeting organised by Stop Russell Homes, a group of local residents opposed to the planned estate.

After listening to their concerns, the MP pledged to do everything possible to stop the development going ahead.

In a letter sent to Rochdale Borough Council planning service this week Mr Danczuk set out his reasons for opposing the planned housing estate.

Mr Danczuk said: “The Stop Russell Homes Group have raised a number of valid concerns about this proposed development and they have my full support.

“A number of housing developments are already planned in Littleborough. The cumulative effect of all this new housing brings the risk of urban sprawl and could damage the individual identity of the village.

“Taking into account the impact these new houses would have on traffic on the A58, local schools and GP places and the risk of flooding, it is clear this is not an appropriate development for Littleborough.

“Across the UK, there is a need for more affordable housing. But that does not mean applications like this should be waved through without proper scrutiny.

“I urge Rochdale Borough Council to reject this application.”

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Text of letter sent to planning services:

I am writing on behalf of my constituents in Littleborough to object to the application by Russell Homes for outline planning permission to build 110 houses on land off New Road.

Residents living near the site have raised a number of concerns with me which I would urge you to take into account when considering this application.

Of particular concern is the erosion of a green wedge which separates Littleborough and Dearnley and the potential for urban sprawl.

Congestion on the A58 is already a longstanding issue and a cause of much frustration for motorists in Rochdale. Such an intensive development is sure to exacerbate the traffic issue.

Much of the land on the proposed site is boggy or marsh-like and residents in New Street have complained of flooding issues in the past. The new homes, with associated driveways, roads and other paved areas, could lead to a serious flooding problem.

Infrastructure in Littleborough is already under strain and local GP surgeries and primary schools are ill equipped to cope with the influx of people that would come as a result of 110 new build homes.

This application should not be considered in isolation and I would encourage you to consider the cumulative effect of existing approved applications at Birch Hill, Stansfield, Durn and Akzo Nobel.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Danczuk, Rochdale’s Member of Parliament