Russell Homes’ prevails in Littleborough despite protests 

Rochdale Council approved the developer’s proposals for 61 homes off New Street in front of a crowd of dissenting residents. 

The council’s planning committee voted in favour of the scheme by seven votes to five.

Conditions attached to the approval will see Russell Homes deliver nine affordable properties on site and make financial contributions totalling almost £1m. 

These contributions will go towards secondary school places, public open space, improvements to local sports pitches, and connectivity, active travel, and public realm improvements connecting the site, the A58 and Smithy Bridge, and Littleborough Train Stations. 

The 8.6-acre project proved unpopular with some residents, many of whom attended yesterday’s planning committee meeting to protest against the scheme. 

Across three rounds of public consultation, a total of 566 objections against the scheme were received. Many of these voiced concerns about the loss of the green field site and that additional homes could put a strain on local infrastructure. 

In recommending the project for approval, the council said “the proposed development would deliver 61 high-quality homes that would meet a variety of strategic housing requirements within the borough”. 

Architect MPLS Planning & Design designed the scheme, which would feature five two-, 15 three-, and 41 four-bedroom properties. 

Stantec is the scheme’s planning consultant. Also on the project team is landscape architect TPM Landscape, transport consultant Focus Transport Planning, and noise consultant E3p. 

Nearby, Russell Homes already has planning permission to build 96 homes on neighbouring land on New Road.