Extra homes add to mill concerns
Objectors to the proposed Rainshore Mill housing development in Norden received a shock when they were told the developers were considering building an extra 18 houses.
The Norden Development Opposition Group, which is fighting plans by CMI Limited to build houses on the former factory site near Greenbooth Reservoir, faced the developers at a three-day public inquiry.
The group, which wants to see the site 'return to nature', always believed the plans were for 32 houses.
They were rocked when it was revealed that the Belfast-based firm now wants to build 50 houses on Overtown Lane.
Frances Patterson QC, representing the applicants, said that 50 houses would 'provide more of a mix' of property than 32.
She said housing would bring significant improvements to the appearance of the site with the removal of the industrial buildings, improve access to the countryside and would open up 9,800 square metres of land.
She also said CMI would spend £32,000 on traffic calming in Edenfield Road, improvements to the junction at Overtown Lane and Edenfield Road and on upgrading a bus stop in Edenfield Road.
Miss Patterson said: "Thirty-two houses would be a larger detached variety and 50 would be more of a mix.
"Norden is an area of high demand in Rochdale and there is a shortage of good quality housing.
"The site is some 500 metres from Edenfield Road and there are buses running into Rochdale and Manchester and primary and secondary schools within reasonable distance."
Last year the council gave the plans for housing the thumbs-up. But the secretary of state called in the application because he considered the proposals conflicted with national policy on green belt.
Heather Barker, a Rochdale Council solicitor, said the council supported the plans for housing because it would remove a degraded site and bring it back in a way that would enhance the green belt and bring highways and traffic calming to the area that would not usually take place.
She said the number of houses had never been set in stone.
"As it was only an outline application, there was no figure given for the number of houses.
"It was at first thought that 32 houses would be appropriate.
"But it was found that there could be 50 houses on the same site and it would not generate significantly more traffic than if it was to be used as a mill."
A decision from the inspector is expected in four to six weeks' time.
Rochdale Observer, 17th August 2004
