S38 Planning Consent Granted

After a really busy three years 

• pulling together the Equestrian Access Requirements onto Knowl Common, 

• pulling together a Section 38 Application for the Fence Line along Edenfield Road near Owd Betts, and 

• being the lead voluntary group in submitting the application and organising the Public Hearing

NBHBA are pleased to inform you that the application has been granted for a permanent fence line.

Since its erection in 2021, it has played an important role in the efforts of GMP and Lancashire Constabulary in trying to reduce the amount of illegal off-road users on the Moors, who have been causing damage to the Peat, creating ruts in the paths making it difficult for legal users to enjoy this wonderful natural resource on our doorstep.

A wide voluntary collaboration has been, and continues to be active, to aid the Police tackle this serious anti social behaviour which has the potential, if left unchecked, to ruin our Moors forever. The collaboration includes, amongst others, Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum, West Pennine Commoners Association, Norden Area Forum, Lord of the Manor, local residents, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, United Utilities, the British Horse Society, and ourselves.   

A Public Hearing was held by the Planning Inspector on the 25th June 2024 attended by 14 supporters and 4 objectors at which all relevant information was discussed. The Inspector then went away, after having conducted a site visit, and wrote her report which was received on the 16th July. The conclusion was that, with a few small modifications to access points, the biggest one being the provision of horse access opposite Rough Lea Farm where currently there is only pedestrian access, there is permission granted for a permeant fence line in its current location. The full Planning Inspectors Report can be found here.

We now look forward to getting the additional horse access in the fence line opposite Rough Lea Farm which has been prevented since 2021 with all the toing and froing along with the other recommendations in the report