Planning permission granted for next phase of Spinning Point

Rossendale Borough Council has granted planning permission for Phase two of the Spinning Point development.

A full planning application, for the redevelopment of the former Valley Centre site, was submitted by Rossendale Borough Council and Barnfield Investment Properties in December 2017.

Significant community consultation has taken place since December, with members of the public encouraged to view and comment on the proposals during three public information events, a’Facebook Live’ consultation; and presentations to local groups, Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce and Rossendale Civic Trust.

The mixed use development includes leisure, hotel, housing and commercial uses set around a large, open public space.

The application was approved at planning committee on Monday 26^th March, where the planning authority and design team responded to matters raised; and confirmed that:

• locally sourced stone will be used throughout the scheme,
• a separate parking strategy is to be undertaken to assess the parking requirements in, and around, Rawtenstall Town centre,
• a contraflow / two way cycle lane will not be introduced on Kay Street,
• the proposed public realm is of ample size and appropriate design to continue to accommodate the range of events that currently take place on the site. The open public space extends to 2,278 sqm and is almost double the width of Bank Street (27 metres, compared to 14 metres); and
• the scheme ‘will reflect local surroundings and respond to local character’, in the opinion of Rossendale Borough Council’s Ecological Advisor.

Councillor, Andrew MacNae, said of the decision:

I am pleased that the application was approved and look forward to seeing the scheme progress. I strongly believe that Spinning Point will transform Rawtenstall, for the better, and will bring jobs, business opportunities; and a new lease of life to the town centre.

Having planning permission means we can now work with local businesses who are interested in taking space at Spinning Point whilst also going to the market to secure high quality brands. This will help the area to keep its traditional, boutique feel whilst also bringing in a new offering that is complementary to local businesses.

The planning decision notice can be viewed here.

Councillor MacNae has also released this video regarding the planning timeline.