Yahoo News Rossendale apartments plan at former furniture works gets thumbs up but concerns remain over 'balcony privacy'
A block of apartments could be developed at a former furniture works in Rossendale.
Fourteen one-bedroom apartments could be developed at the Glen Tops works at Newchurch Road, Stacksteads. But the plan has prompted some concerns about loss of privacy with balconies and tree clearance.
Applicant Glen Tops Developments is seeking change-of-use planning permission from Rossendale Council to use the site, which is in the green belt, for residential rather than commercial and employment purposes. An applicant's name of Mrs C Cooper of Buxton Road, Stockport, is given in the application form and an agent, Frank Smith, of James Campbell Associates in Milnrow, Rochdale.
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Rossendale planning officers have given the plans the thumbs up - but the final decision will rest with councillors.
A report to the planning committee recommends approval, subject to various conditions, including a contribution of £34,000 by the developer to public open space or playing pitches, and £5,000 to compensate for the impact on the greenbelt. These would be included in a planning system arrangement called a section 106 agreement, it is suggested..
A Rossendale Council planning report states: "Planning permission is sought for the conversion of the existing buildings into 14 new one-bedroom apartments, as approved in a previous application in 2019.
"The new proposed scheme would involve the reconfiguration of the internal layout, the demolition of the existing storage extension on the west side, and alterations to the external appearance of the buildings including changes to windows and the construction of balconies on the front and rear. The existing taller two-storey building would retain its natural coursed stone finish, with repairs where necessary using matching stone and slate."
The plan includes a full landscaping and boundary treatment plan, showing new shrubs and turf on the site and a natural Scout Moor stone flag walkway.
Nearby are homes, a car business, The Glen, described as a scenic cutting which Newchurch Road passes through and which also has railway tunnels which were renovated to create a cycleway. To the north is open countryside.
One neighbour has raised concerns about privacy., stating: "I have previously objected to a loss of privacy as the proposed balcony of apartment 6 in the existing building overlooks an en-suite bathroom in our home. This was addressed with the proposed installation of an opaque glazed panel on the side of the affected balcony.
"By reviewing the latest plans, we have realised that the balcony of apartment 5 of the extension building will also overlook the same en-suite bathroom. This is due to the new part of the building not being in-line with the existing building. We have only just noticed this issue due to the removal of trees by the developers on the site last year which originally obscured the view but which, in removing the trees, now further exposes our home to being overlooked."
Planning officers say the issue of protecting employment sites has previously been dealt with in 2019. There is little difference between the 2019 and the current application, they say.
Regarding new homes and the green belt, the report states Rossendale Council has a five-year supply of potential land and sites for homes, which is required by national planning rules. But it cannot currently demonstrate it is achieving the required level of housing delivery -actual building. This Stacksteads building already exists so its change of use would have little impact on the green belt.
Officers believe there would be is no bad impact on the area's appearance, neighbours' amenity, highway safety, trees or wildlife. It is considered acceptable.
