Furious residents in a quaint northern village have taken drastic and unusual action in a desperate attempt to halt a mammoth housing development that threatens to transform their community. Littleborough, with its picturesque Pennine surroundings and quick transport connections to Manchester, has long been considered one of Greater Manchester's best-kept secrets. However, this small village now risks being overwhelmed by a series of large-scale housing projects that locals argue will exacerbate congested roads and strain local health and education infrastructure already operating at the brink of capacity.
The Controversial Development at Hollingworth Lake
The most contentious of these new housing projects involves 309 homes planned by Bloor Homes on former greenbelt land adjacent to Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough's most beloved landmark. At a recent Rochdale Council planning committee meeting, members of the public booed loudly as the development received approval, despite over 1,000 objection letters being submitted to the council. This vocal opposition reflects deep-seated concerns about the village's ability to absorb such significant growth without damaging its character and services.
An Unusual Protest: Horses Released on Site
In an apparent escalation of protest tactics, some residents have moved beyond formal objections to more dramatic actions aimed at scuppering the project. Last month, just days before Christmas, an unknown assailant released a pair of horses onto the field designated for development. In response, Bloor Homes erected a sign warning that the horses running loose on the land would be 'removed by other means' if they weren't taken away within 96 hours.
After four days, the horses remained roaming in the field with no owners coming forward. Bloor Homes has revealed to the Daily Mail that after failing to locate the animals' owners, they contacted World Horse Welfare for advice before ultimately handing the horses to the RSPCA. A company spokesperson explained: 'Two ponies/horses were placed on Bloor Homes land without permission. Staff were concerned for the welfare of the animals and made attempts to locate the owners, without success. With adverse weather conditions forecast at the end of December and increasing concern for the animals, they were taken into the care of the RSPCA.'
According to the RSPCA, the horses are now in their care and are 'doing well,' but bizarrely, their owners have still not come forward. While most residents have not taken such extreme measures, this incident highlights the depth of local opposition to the housing plans.
Infrastructure Concerns and Traffic Nightmares
The new housing development remains deeply unpopular with much of Littleborough's population, with road access emerging as a particular concern. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, residents Ann and Andrew Bowker articulated widespread fears: 'There is only one road in and one road out. A lot of roadworks come on these roads and it jams up continuously. There is already a housing estate being built, and okay they're nice, but you're going to have one hell of an estate when they come together.'
Additional Developments Compound Problems
At a council meeting earlier this month, another substantial development of 199 homes in the Smithy Bridge area of Littleborough was also approved, despite more than 300 written objections. This site lies to the direct southwest of the Bloor Homes development, further intensifying concerns about cumulative impact. Resident Matt Hargreaves told the planning committee: 'The roads are already substantially over capacity. They are adding hours to people's days and this is going to make it worse. The traffic is wrecking people's lives, every single day.'
The Proposed Relief Road Solution
A relief road linking Littleborough to the Rochdale Bypass has been proposed alongside this latest housing development to address traffic congestion concerns. However, local councillors have questioned whether this will effectively tackle the problem. Reform UK councillor John Taylor described it as 'the road to nowhere,' adding that it won't be effective until it is 100 per cent complete. Labour's Richard Jackson emphasised that 'without the commitment to build the relief road, nothing will ever change' and warned that residents will suffer 'more misery and longer queues.'
Council Approval Despite Opposition
Despite substantial opposition from both councillors and nearby residents, Rochdale Council stated their 'hands were tied' on this application and voted to approve it. In similar scenes to last year's meeting, the vote was met with jeers from residents watching the proceedings. This ongoing conflict between development pressures and community preservation continues to define the battle for Littleborough's future, with residents demonstrating remarkable creativity and determination in their efforts to protect their village from what they perceive as overwhelming change.
