Objection to Mast Planning Application

Cubico put into Rossendale Planning Department an Application in Feb 2025 to construct a mast on land adjacent to the Mary Towneley Loop. They planned to build a Loading Area opposite Knacks Lane near Catley Lanehead and use Rooley Moor Road to transport all construction material to the site in Rossendale. The Planning Application was 2025/0061  and a similar consultation was made to Rochdale Planning Department 25/00199/CONS.  The following objection was submitted on behalf of the Equestrian population who use the Mary Towneley Loop.

Objection submitted To Rossendale and Rochdale Planning Departments on 20/3/25 

This is an objection by Norden, Bamford & Heywood Bridleway Association on behalf of the over 500 horses which reside in a 5 mile radius of the proposed set down area.

We object to this planning application strongly for the following reasons

The set down area for equipment is proposed to be at Catley Lanehead at the bottom of the Cotton Famine Road. The intention is to use the Cotton Famine Road to move machinery and equipment up to the proposed site. There has been no scoping assessment as to whether this is the only route to access the site. We strongly object to using this route as it is part of the National Trail, The Mary Towneley Loop which is used on a regular basis by horses from both the local area and from around the Country. The road is a narrow single track road with huge ditches at either side and no passing places for miles. Should a horse encounter large machinery there is a great likelihood that it would go into flight mode and try and leave the route with catastrophic consequences to both Horse and Rider. Many Horses would not pass large machinery even if the machinery was turned off and so it would leave a horse and rider being stranded along the Trail with nowhere to go. This is our main objection. The route is also though of great historic interest and is good for the economy of the area with visitors coming specifically to view this historical feat. The Road was never intended for modern day heavy machinery and hence using it in this way would have major irreversible detrimental impact on the road.

There is nothing on the portal which says that the Rochdale and Lancashire Rights of Way Officers have been consulted on the use of this important well used route.