Rochdale council's planning committee has again deferred a decision on the first phase of a 450-home development in Bamford, citing unresolved flood concerns.
In August, the committee postponed a decision on Wain Homes' proposal to build 45 houses on a plot of land behind Greenvale. Councillors said they lacked enough detail on how developers would address historic drainage issues and noted the absence of a masterplan for the wider scheme.
Historic flooding and drainage concerns
The site, taken out of the green belt under the Greater Manchester housing strategy Places for Everyone, includes playing fields and sports pitches. A new clubhouse for Bridge FC and revamped sports pitches are seen as key benefits of the overarching scheme.
When the committee met again on October 22, members felt their requests had not been met. Objector Lisa Bailey said the site – west of Norden Road – has a history of flooding and is 'seasonally wet ground'. She explained that United Utilities wants a drainage plan, and infrastructure and access issues remain unaddressed.
Bailey said: "If these documents are still not before you, the reason for your deferral in August has not been addressed. We know this land will be developed, but it's about how it will be developed. If we don't we'll end up with a piecemeal development."
Committee questions readiness
Coun Stephen Anstee noted he had never seen as many as 18 conditions, including one on drainage, attached to a planning application, saying this demonstrated the scheme is not ready.
Planning agent Stephen Harris told the committee a flood risk management assessment was part of the application. He added that other developers, who would bring forward the rest of the 450 homes, said Wain Homes' scheme would not obstruct the wider plan.
Harris said: "They have no concerns about how our plan is coming forward. This is the first piece of the jigsaw on wider development. This will provide a key part of Rochdale's housing allocation over the next few years. Further delay will means the council will risk land supply – development is important."
Deferred again with drainage report request
Committee chair Coun Shakil Ahmed said: "People want to be 100 per cent sure what is happening here. It seems we are basically back where we were before."
Harris said Wain Homes' legal team suggested they didn't need to provide more information, but they provided the 'masterplan statement'. Council officers said this statement 'didn't add much weight' to the wider application.
Coun Carol Wardle added: "You are saying 'we are Wain Homes and we don't need to listen'. We are the planning committee, and if we ask for something we should get it."
The committee agreed to defer the application again, requesting that Wain Homes produce a full report on how drainage will be managed on the site. A decision will be considered at a later planning committee meeting.
