A developer has revealed that up to 53 new homes could be built on green land in Castleton – 18 more than first proposed.
Plans to build 35 affordable homes on Mayfield Sports Cente, off Keswick Street, have already been rejected by Rochdale council.
But speaking at a public planning inquiry into the council's decision to reject that application, developer Countryside Properties said another 18 private homes could also be built for sale on another part of the site if the first scheme gets the go-ahead.
Simon Pemberton, acting on behalf of Countryside Properties, told the planning inspectorate: "The intention is for the provision of 35 affordable homes to be built straight away.
"We will then consider the possibility of building another 18 units to the north of the developed area, but we will need to take advice first.
"If the outcome of that shows it would be a viable project then we will work up a scheme for planning approval for another 18 units for private sale opposite the first development."
Under the plans, Countryside Properties want to build 35 affordable homes to the southern side of an access road leading from Keswick Street to Mayfield Sports Centre as well as another 18 to the north of the road in future.
In return for selling the land to the developer, the sports club would receive around £450,000 worth of investment to create a new all-weather sports pitch, improve drainage to the whole site as well as developing the car park and club house.
Plans to develop the land, which is currently owned by Mayfield Sports Club, were rejected in March last year after Rochdale Planning Sub-committee refused to allow Countryside Properties to build on the area, which is defined as protected open land.
The council says there are tight guidelines governing development in green belt land and protected open land – criteria they said Countryside Properties' application didn't meet.
Wayne Poole, a planning officer for Rochdale council, said: "The council's
development framework clearly shows a preference for developments within brown field sites.
"Except for an area of green belt around Heywood, we do not encourage developments on protected open land and we feel this development would extend the urban area."
The developer says it should be allowed to build on the site as it would increase the supply of affordable housing in the town and see around £450,000 spent improving Mayfield Sports Club.
Planning Inspectorate Mark Dakeyne said he needed to weigh up building on protected open land against the benefits of the scheme.
A decision is expected next month.
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this has all happened before, when the original planning for the off kewick street development was approved, mayfield recieved money to develop, and again the end development was not in accordance with teh approvaed planning approval.
for this to happen a second time, shows that nothing is being learned from allowing development of green belt land. Why doesn't countryside build on brown field land in the former Whip and Bourne site?
Houses affordable by whom?
Why build more? Is there a shortage? Is there a supply of local employment vacancies.
I thought there are 3700 empty homes in the borough?
This signifies no shortage, no demand, and no interest. Most sane folk want out.
Replace the word "developer" for "spiv operating on cheap borrowed money subsidised by tax payers"
Well said. The old whipp and Bourne site is now an eye sore of unused brown field land. Our councils should enforce the re use of this before building on green land. But we all know it's cheaper to build on soil than break up an old site and then build houses. Even though Rochdale has over 3000 empty houses we definatley need more don't we ....
The council says there are tight guidelines governing development in green belt land and protected open land – criteria they said Countryside Properties' application didn't meet."
That should be the end of the matter. No developer - especially the "countryside" properties, should be allowed to run roughshod over our town!
it's another 'privatise the profits' 'socialise the losses' thing.
As everyone is 'knocking' the building of the houses...what about the benefits to the local children? Mayfield have already taken a run down rugby club and turned them into a championship winning side with teams for boys and girls from the age of 6 and with several youth team members signed up by top flight clubs.
Carry on the good work Mayfield!