Rossendale councillors throw out plan for terrace over parking fears (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rossendale councillors throw out plan for terrace over parking fears

3:54pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

PLANS for a new row of terrace houses near a school have been thrown out by Rossendale Council.

The proposals for land off Lawson Street in Crawshawbooth were met with stern objections from residents worried about parking problems.

And councillors on the development and control committee upheld those fears by unanimously rejecting the scheme – despite a recommendation by planning officers to approve it.

Residents of Lawson Street took to the council chamber to outline their opposition to the plans, which would have resulted in five houses being built.

One speaker, Heather Crilly, blasted the council for failing to acknowledge some letters of objection.

She said she knew of at least three people who had opposed the scheme but received no official reply when they had written to the council.

Neil Birtles, the council’s senior planning officer admitted there had been ‘administrative mistakes’.

The site in question borders Lawson Street and Burnley Road, near Crawshawbooth Primary School, and already suffers from chronic parking issues.

Councillor Jimmy Eaton said he had visited the site during school hours and concluded that traffic was ‘absolutely horrendous’.

He said: “It’s an absolute nightmare during peak times. The size of the development was absolutely ridiculous given the size of the area.”

Another resident, Andrew Pugh, accused the developer, Mr Fred Birt, of ‘trying to fit a pint into a half-pint glass to the detriment of the local community’.

He added: “Lawson Street already suffers from a lack of parking – Burnley Road residents already park there and new residents would park there.

“There is a risk that the emergency services might not be able to access the street.

“Cars regularly block the pelican crossing to the school and it’s a serious road safety issue.”