Shopping centre developers aim for work to start in New Year

8:02pm Friday 30th November 2007

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THE prospective new owners of the Valley Centre in Rawtenstall have pledged their commitment to the £45m redevelopment of the shopping centre.

Ashbourne Property Fund Managers Ltd have said they are determined for the development to go ahead after agreeing to buy the shopping centre from its former owners CNC.

Findlay MacAlpine, the director of the firm, said they wanted to make progress with the development in the new year.

But first the firm must sit down with Rossendale Council and discuss legal obligations that the developer will be expected to enter into, subject to the planning application being approved.

This means a postponement of the Development Control Committee scheduled for December 5, until early in the new year.

Mr MacAlpine said: "As the soon-to-be new owners of the Valley Centre we remain wholeheartedly committed to this exciting town centre redevelopment scheme and we look forward to assembling a first rate team to take it forward early in the New Year in partnership with the Council."

Cllr Bill Challinor said: "Everyone at the Council wants to reach a decision on the Valley Centre application as soon as is possible, but without a clear mutual understanding with the developer about the planning conditions that we would be expecting, it would be unreasonable to expect councilors to reach a balanced decision."

"Determining the Valley Centre planning application is one of the most important decisions our Development Control Committee will have to make.

"This is a complex application and will have a big impact the local community.

"It is vital that members of the committee have a full picture of the impact of the development and is able to set realistic and achievable conditions for the development."

Mr MacAlpine added: "I believe this is a prudent and entirely reasonable proposal in view of the imminent sale of the Valley Centre.

"We look forward to further negotiations with Rossendale Council and are confident that we can provide the reassurances and commitments that the Council and transport planners require."

Residents have previously voiced concern that a change in owner might delay the building work, which has been proposed for several years.

Council leader Duncan Ruddick denied that would happen and said the authority wanted work to start as soon as possible.