Residents fighting to save as much as possible of a cherished old mill in Rochdale have won a reconsideration of redevelopment plans, after the local council conceded that its grant of planning permission should not stand.
Judge Davies, sitting in Manchester, has approved a consent order quashing Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council’s decision to give planning permission and conservation area consent to the redevelopment of Rakewood Lower Mill, which would have turned the derelict mill into 27 residential properties.
While most local residents support some form of redevelopment, the permitted plans were not popular, due to fears that much of the earliest parts of the existing mill would be demolished. They also consider that the size and scale of the development would be out of keeping with the conservation area.
Last year, more than 4,800 people signed a petition against the redevelopment, citing additional concerns about the effect on the visual landscape and traffic around local beauty spot Hollingworth Lake.
Justin Neal, a specialist environment lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, which represented local resident Louise Butterworth, said: “The councillors weren’t properly informed about the impact of the designs and they were also not fully appraised of their legal duties in relation to the conservation area.
“The land surrounding the mill is woodland that is home to many species of birds and bats while footpaths also run through the area and the listed buildings of Hollingworth Fold are nearby.
“Our client like many local residents was against this scheme. She is relieved that the court has ruled in her favour and the council will have to review the application again.”
Louise Butterworth, who lives in Rakewood, added: “Thousands of people opposed the redevelopment because of its size and scale, which are just not in keeping with the surroundings. It’s disappointing to find out that the council members were not given the correct information with which to make their decision – but thankfully the court has now overturned the planning consent and maybe now we will see a re-development more in keeping with the surroundings.”
