Plans for ‘rabbit hutch’ flats which were rejected by council planners have been granted on appeal - much to the anger and disappointment of locals. Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s proposal for two apartment blocks on green space in Rhodes, Middleton, was turned down on the grounds it was ‘detrimental to the character, appearance and visual amenity of the surrounding area’.
Despite the eight affordable two-bed apartments - mooted for land between Broad Street, Yates Street and Chapel Street - being designed for people with mobility issues, councillors said they would not bring economic, social or environmental benefits. However, RBH has successfully overturned the decision on appeal - including the granting of four Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
Despite the planning inspector noting concerns over the impact on residents' health and the loss of a children’s play area, she found there were several ‘alternative open spaces’ nearby. She also found there ‘no substantive evidence to suggest that the proposal would result in an increase in on-street parking’ or pollution levels.
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The decision has shocked Dave Bennion, of Yates Street, who spoke against the proposals when the application went before the council’s planning committee. “What’s the point in having a democracy and democratic vote on both the building of the ‘rabbit hutches’ and the felling of the trees?” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“They might as well just go to the Tory government and get it approved straight away. It’s completely ridiculous.” The Planning Inspectorate says its inspectors are impartial.
