Fury as controversial housing plan gets green light despite protest and hundreds of objections

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Angry residents vented their fury as controversial housing proposals were passed despite hundreds of objections and a noisy protest outside council offices.

Shouts of ‘shame’ and ‘farce’ filled the air as Rochdale council’s planning committee approved proposals for 61 new homes on protected grazing land in Littleborough, known as Stubley Meadows.The scheme has been mired in controversy since last September, when council bosses backed the 'principle' of selling fields to a developer - despite previously turning down interest from a local resident.

More than 500 objections have been received since Russell Homes planning application - heavily weighted towards large family housing but also including two homes for the care of vulnerable children - was lodged with the local authority.The strength of feeling was apparent before proceedings got under way, with dozens of placard-waving - and very vocal - protestors gathering outside the council’s Number One Riverside offices.

Things were no less heated inside the meeting, with residents being warned the meeting would be cancelled if proceedings were disrupted. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community A report to the committee recommended approval, advising plans for the land west of New Street would deliver ‘acutely needed’ housing and ‘all necessary infrastructure’.