Housing approved at Lancashire soapworks site

Rossendale Borough Council has granted planning permission for up to 30 homes at the site of the former Sigma Soap Works in Irwell Vale.

Although the site is located within the green belt, the local authority said that there were overriding exceptional circumstances in favour of development, including the opportunity to remove derelict buildings and have a positive effect on the flood risk to the wider area.

The application was approved by a majority verdict at Rossendale’s development control committee meeting this week.

The applicant, James Industrial Land, said the site will provide homes sympathetic to adjacent grade two-listed buildings and Irwell Vale Conservation area.

James Industrial Land was supported by planning consultant PWA, while e3p advised on acoustics, air quality, ecology and ground conditions.

Urban Green advised on landscape architecture and landscape planning.