Council throws out plans for 73 new homes near the centre of Ramsbottom

Plans to build a 73 new homes near the centre of Ramsbottom have been thrown out by councillors. Eccleston Homes planned the new estate at the former Mondi Mill site on Bridge Street.

Planning officers had recommended approval of the scheme but on Tuesday evening Bury’s planning committee rejected the plans citing concerns about potential flooding and effects on the roads. The plans suggested the conversion of two existing buildings to homes , the retention of the mill chimney and the demolition of a derelict building.

Some 22 letters of objection and three letters of support about the plans were received by Bury Council.

John Ireland from Ramsbottom Heritage Society spoke against the plans. He described it as the ‘biggest development in the centre of Ramsbottom since the railway arrived in the 1840s’. He said: “The planning package you received reveal a selection of unimaginative, incongruous bog standard homes that show no respect for the heritage of the area.

“The eight terraced house in natural stone are simply a front to house the remaining 65 being built behind without one ounce of natural material between them. “Their walls will be concrete made to look like natural stone or rendered breeze blocks painted white both of which are banned in conservations areas.

“They have nothing whatsoever in common with the 19th century stone buildings and stone cottages with natural slate roofs as far as the eye can see. “Ramsbottom deserves better. “Can you honestly imagine Hebden Bridge, Haworth, Grasmere or any other attractive town even entertaining an application to build 65 reconstituted stone homes on a category 3 flood zone in the centre of town?

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