Controversial plans for 126 homes on former chemical works site passed

Controversial plans for 126 homes on a former chemical works have been approved despite concerns over asbestos contamination, congestion and increased pressure on local services. Proposals for the Old Akzo Nobel site, near Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough, were unanimously voted through by Rochdale council’s planning committee when it met on Thursday night.

The scheme includes a mix of houses - ranging from two to five bedrooms - with 19 of these being classed as ‘affordable’. There are also new foot and cycle paths, a play park and areas of open space. Lodged by Vistry Partnerships Ltd and Homes England, it seemingly brings to an end 15 years of failed attempts to get the 20 acre plot cleaned up and transformed into housing.Most recently planning permission was granted for 174 dwellings on the same site, but the scheme was not built out by the previous applicant. And councillors felt the opportunity to secure a less dense development on a brownfield site was not one they could turn down.READ MORE: Councillor apologises for conduct in market row meeting - but does not retract all allegations

Stephen Anstee said it was clear there were significant concerns around the scheme, and he sympathised ‘significantly’ with the objectors. But he continued: “I do believe it needs a decision tonight, as Coun Sheerin mentioned before, and it is a great opportunity to have some remediation on this site and make it a better place for all.”He also stressed the ‘key point’ that planning permission was already in place for a residential development with a larger number of houses. “If we reject or defer, it could go anyway, to what could be a much worse scheme,” he said. "That to me just wipes away any opposition that we can have on this