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WAR has finally been victorious

Emma Mountford
5/10/2006

APPLAUSE erupted at a planning meeting as a controversial development was unanimously turned down.

In a show of unity, dozens of objectors turned out to oppose plans to build 12 apartments at the site of Parkside House in Alkrington and the protesters were ecstatic with the commitee's decision.

Local resident and campaigner, Glenys Holmes, was thrilled with the result. She said: "We are all very pleased and if the applicant goes to appeal we are all ready to fight that as well. I would just like to thank everyone for their hard work and help."

The residents' nightmare began last summer when plans were submitted to knock down Parkside House and part of 6 Alkrington Hall Road South in order to build 16 apartments. Locals were so angry that they formed the WAR (Woodside Against Redevelopment) committee.

As well as holding protest meetings they also started a petition and collected more than 600 signatures opposing the plans. And last September their hard work paid off as the unprecedented level of protest led the applicant to withdraw the plans.

But in July the plans were resubmitted - this time for 12 apartments.

More than 80 letters of objection were sent to the council over the development and comments from ex-Alkrington residents across the globe once again flooded into the Guardian offices.

Speaking at the planning meeting last Wednesday, Councillor Michael Holly, said the application was one of the worst cases of overdevelopment he had seen. He added: "This is about not setting a precedent for further development in the area."

Rochdale Council's planning department had already recommended refusal on five separate grounds including the scale of the development, site access and the detrimental affect on the visual look of the street. But it was up to the committee to make the decision and members voted unanimously to refuse the development.

Committee member, Councillor Alan Godson, said: "Alkrington Garden Village is exactly what it says on the tin. It is not a place to build on.

"As far as I am concerned building on the gardens is not acceptable. This is one of the few places in Middleton that has retained its charm and character."

But former councillor Peter Williams, who has been a vocal objector to the plans and again stepped up to fight for his Alkrington neighbours, says this is just the start of the fight and believes the applicant really wants an appeal beyond the council.

He added: "It is important residents take this appeal seriously and oppose the appeal in big numbers. We want the inspectors report to condemn the proposals in the strongest terms. Given the size of the proposal it may be a special hearing that is convened rather than a by letter decision in which case campaigners need to review tactics."