H66 update – October 2025

TRAFFIC ISSUES/VISIONING BOARD

Over the last couple of years we have reported that a meeting to discuss traffic issues with developers, RBC Planning and LCC Highways had been proposed but has never happened. A Visioning Board which would cover all aspects of the H66 development had also been proposed but also never happened Surprisingly (!) shortly after the TW planning approval a meeting was arranged which took place on 15^th October. As well as members of the Forum Management Committee attendees were local Lancashire County and Rossendale Borough councillors (Joanne Ash and Simon Holland), the Leader of the Council (Alyson Barnes) and representatives from LCC Highways, RBC Planning, Taylor Wimpey and Northstone. Our MP Andy MacNae was unable to attend due to parliamentary duties. The discussions were informative and constructive and it was agreed that we should now meet every three months. RBC are calling this the Visioning Board (VB) although we expect it to deal mainly with practical issues.

Information coming out of the recent meeting relating to the TW and Northstone developments is included below.

TAYLOR WIMPEY

Despite the efforts of the Forum, the Residents Association and most residents over many years (including 400 objections to the latest proposals) Taylor Wimpey’s revised plans for the building of 238 houses on the central part of site H66 were passed by the Council’s Development Control Committee on 7^th October. However construction cannot start until a Section 106 Agreement which details TW’s obligations has been agreed and signed by TW, RBC and LCC. A draft of the agreement has been posted on RBC’s website  ( https://publicaccess.rossendale.gov.uk/online-applications/ ) under application number 2022/0451. The Third Schedule of the Agreement is the draft planning permission (page 21) which includes the 38 conditions TW must satisfy before or during construction and include:

• An assessment of land contamination and, if necessary, remediation strategy.
• A detailed construction phasing plan and timetable to be agreed with RBC which must be followed during construction.
• Further detailed geotechnical and drainage analyses and reports related to slope stability affecting the bypass with plans then to be agreed with Highways England and RBC.
• Construction may only take place 7.30am – 6.00pm weekdays and 8.00am – 1.00pm Saturdays. Also no HGV movements 8am – 9am and 2.30pm – 4.30pm during school term time. The same condition is also included in the planning permission for the Northstone site.
• A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to be agreed with RBC. This will include measures to control noise, vibration, dust and pollution during construction.
• Sustainable surface water drainage strategy to be agreed with RBC and implemented.
• Construction Management Plan to be agreed with RBC which includes construction vehicle routings, wheel washing and prevention of mud etc on Market Street.
• No construction until site access work completed including the right turn provision and pedestrian crossing.

It could be said that some of these conditions should have been raised and agreed before planning approval was granted by theCouncil and would therefore have been included in the consultations on the application. We have argued this many times without success – but the conditions will still need to be satisfied so better late than never!

Information from the Visioning Board meeting included:

• Regarding the thirteen vehicle car park sited close to the site entrance. Although it is primarily intended for the use of current residents to compensate for loss of parking on Market Street it is not proposed to have any restrictions on who may use the car park. There will be no provision for disabled parking or EV charging. Pedestrian access will be by the pavement adjoining the road access. TW are to consider changes to these proposals.
• The wall forming the boundary with Market Street has to be taken down so that the road can be widened to accommodate the right turn lane. TW confirmed that the stone from the existing wall will be used to build the new wall.
• Parking restrictions at the southern end of Market Street (near the junction with Exchange Street) are to be reconsidered to reduce the effect on the businesses there.
• TW are awaiting the formal planning approval documentation and completion of the S106 and S278 agreements. Until then they will not be able to start construction.     

NORTHSTONE

Work is continuing on both the Blackburn Road and Burnley Road sites. Now that the latter has been reduced to the level of the car park it will temporarily be used for site offices and storage until early 2026.

There is now a flood management plan in place for the car park and work has been done to reduce the flood risk. Existing culverts are being checked and LCC Highways are to ensure that the road drains are clear.

Northstone intend to hold a residents’ event which we understand will be held at the Community Centre off Exchange Street between 3.30pm and 6.30pm on 10^th November. As yet we do not have any more information.

The grant of planning permission (decision notice) and S106 agreement can be viewed on the RBC website ( https://publicaccess.rossendale.gov.uk/online-applications/ ) under application 2023/0396

Information from the Visioning Board meeting included:

• Signed agreements with RBC and LCC are now in place for all highways related work which should be completed by early 2026.
• Proposed arrangements for the car park include:
• There will be permits for school staff and some residents to compensate for loss of street parking. Permits will be required during school open times except at drop off and pick up times. The car park will be monitored by ANPR and unauthorised users will be fined.
• Once the Blackburn Road site is complete the maintenance of the car park will be the responsibility of the Northstone residents through their management company.
• Ducting for EV charging points is being installed ready for future use.
• Lighting details have still to be finalised. They will take into account any effect on bordering properties.
• As yet there is no agreement with the school regarding access from the car park to the rear of the school.
• Blackburn Road will be closed at the site access in the near future for up to four weeks to enable utilities connections to the site.

CHATTERTON HEY

We expect to know more early next year about who the developer for this site will be and the likely timescales.

The Management Committee
Edenfield Community Neighbourhood Forum
26th October 2025