Hundreds more homes for traffic-plagued village leaves locals fearing the worst

Neighbours who say they've been plagued by traffic problems for years fear they will have further issues now plans for almost 200 more homes have been given the green light. Rochdale's planning committee has approved proposals for 191 'high quality' homes, to be built on the 27-acre site off Heywood Road in Castleton.

The site sits around 650m from Castleton Station and would provide a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes - all with two parking spaces and an electric car charging point. Some 29 homes are earmarked for affordable housing (80 per cent of market value).

Objectors present at the meeting at Number One Riverside on June 20 told the committee how they have now issue with the houses being built, but the access going in was the sticking point. The main way through to the new homes would go through two cul-de-sacs as well as an access road off Heywood Road, with residents wanting access to only come from Heywood Road.

READ MORE: Stockport County's Edgeley Park stadium expansion plans take major step forward

Jane Hodgson, speaking on behalf of residents on Fairway, Heywood Road and Partington Street, said: "Castleton is only just recovering from the cycle lane works [that caused a traffic nightmare in the village]. This has been very difficult for the area.

"These two cul-de-sacs are very short on space [for cars]. We can't see how this access works. This will have a real impact on our wellbeing and we don’t feel we are being listened to. How much traffic will go past our houses every single day."

Councillors said the access road off Heywood Road could be widened, something deemed suitable by residents present on June 20. Highways officers said the road does not meet health and safety regulations at the