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Plan’s 175 jobs boost

Tom Rowley
21/12/2005

COUNCILLORS have given the green light to a scheme which will provide up to 175 jobs and transform a neglected brownfield site in Hadfield.

It will provide 38 'live/work' workspace units below flats, a 30-bed hotel and 14 business units on a site between Woolley Bridge Road and the River Etherow.

Planning approvals to develop the Rossington Park site - formerly known as the Etherow Park estate - date from 1980, but it has taken until now for a workable scheme which meets planning requirements to be put together.

Acting head of planning, Adrian Fisher, told members of High Peak Borough Council's development control committee on Monday that the Environment Agency had concerns about flooding risks and the look of materials to riverbank works, but revisions by the applicant Rossington Park Ltd had met these.

English Nature was also worried about the presence of great crested newts - a protected species - but these were later found to be on the other side of the road.

Stephen Sadler, head of planning at Walker Morris solicitors - acting for the applicant - said: "There are 175 good reasons why the scheme should be approved: 175 jobs will be created on what is an old, dirty brownfield site. The picture will be completed by a high standard of design (of the new buildings). I hope members will continue the consensual planning of Etherow Park and grant planning permission."

The site is also bi-sected by the Trans Pennine Trail and councillors expressed concern about the development's impact on it.

Old Glossop councillor Ivan Bell said an opportunity was provided for a riverside walk to enhance the scheme.

But Mr Sadler said health and safety issues prevented diversion of the trail nearer the river and the trail was used by cyclists and horse riders as well as pedestrians.

Councillors voted seven to two to approve the scheme.