Revised plans to build 57 homes near the centre of Ramsbottom include creating a 47-space public car park for visitors to the town. Eccleston Homes plan the new estate at the former Mondi paper mill site on Bridge Street.
A similar application for 73 homes at the site was rejected by Bury’s planning committee in May 2022 citing concerns about potential flooding and effects on the roads. An appeal was lodged on behalf of Eccleston Homes but was dismissed by a planning inspector in February.
The inspector found that insufficient evidence was provided to assess flood risks at the site. The decision said the inspector could not be certain that the proposed development would not cause an elevated risk of flooding elsewhere or that the development could be made safe for the intended ‘more vulnerable’ occupants of the site over its lifetime.
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However, the inspector awarded full costs to Eccleston Homes as it was found that the Bury Council failed to substantiate each reason for refusal and relied on generalised assertions about impacts which were unsupported by objective analysis. The revised application, submitted this week, includes plans for two, two-bed semi-detached homes, 31 three-bed houses and 24 four-bed detached homes along with a 47-space public car park and open space.
The application said the homes would be constructed from Marshalls Cromwell stone and slate effect tile which selected to respond positively to the Ramsbottom conservation area. The proposals also include keeping the brick chimney stack.
The former mill site has been vacant with most building being demolished since it closed in 2008. A design and access report in support of the plans, said: “The key changes since the previous scheme relate to the introduction of a new public car park and new improvements to the existing access from Bridge Street.
“The access will be widened and a footway is now proposed on either side of the road. “This will also accommodate a turning into the new public car park.
“The provision of this car park will require the removal of the two existing stone buildings and has also resulted in a reduction in the total number of dwellings proposed.”
With regard to flood risk the report said an updated flood risk and drainage assessment had been prepared. The report, said: “The proposed drainage strategy has been updated and additional hydraulic modelling has been carried out to demonstrate that the proposed development does not increase flood risk on Bridge Street, and more generally reduces modelled flood levels.”
Planners at Bury Council will decide on the plans after a period of public consultation.
