A housing association says it will appeal after councillors refused its plans for ‘affordable’ new flats comparing them to ‘rabbit hutches’.
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) wanted to build a pair of two-storey blocks on a half-acre site in the Rhodes area of Middleton, situated between Broad Street, Yates Street and Chapel Street. The proposals included eight two-bed apartments designed to be particularly suitable for people with mobility issues.
However Rochdale council’ s planning committee rejected the plans by a majority vote after hearing that some of the homes would be smaller than the national recommended standard. There were also concerns raised by residents over the loss of a well-used area of green space as well as parking and potential road safety issues.
The decision has been met with dismay at RBH, where bosses immediately announced they would be launching an appeal. Clare Tostevin, RBH director of growth, said: “We’re saddened and disappointed by the decision of the planning committee to reject our application to build new social housing in Middleton.
“There is a real need for affordable homes of this type in the Middleton area. Our plans would also create new homes for local people who have mobility issues or a physical disability, who currently have no local housing options to meet their needs. We intend to appeal the decision.”
The planning committee meeting was held at Number One Riverside last Thursday (March 4).
Greg Milton, of architects BYA, spoke in support of the application, telling councillors it would bring ‘much needed affordable rented accommodation’ to the area.
Council officers had also recommended that the committee approved the scheme on the grounds it would make ‘efficient use of the site’.
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However, their view that it would ‘not unacceptably restrict access to local open space’, was not shared by residents. Dave Bennion, of Yates Street, told the committee it was well-used by children and also played host to community events, such as last year’s Eid celebrations.
Conservative councillors John Taylor and Pat Sullivan sympathised with residents, but were unsure that a refusal could be defended at appeal. However, Coun Shah Wazir moved to rejected the ‘inappropriate’ application, and was seconded by Coun Donna Williams, who compared the proposed flats to rabbit hutches.
This was passed by a majority vote of the committee. Tree Preservation Orders for four trees on the site were also voted through. However, councillors were told a successful appeal by RBH would override this.
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