Rochdale’s Chief Executive has gone public with his letter in the Observer attacking an elected representative. Mr Ellis is paid to promote Rochdale in a positive light. The danger is that rose tinted glasses can turn into blinkers. For many years I’ve read the Observer with absolute horror regarding some property companies seeming to easily get their way in Rochdale. Family homes on old rubber works and tanneries in Norden, asbestos factories in Spotland and the huge chemical plant here in Littleborough. Everything in your garden is not rosy Mr Ellis.



It is a fool that looks at the price but not at the cost. Public relations consultants and council press releases can gush about hundreds of millions of pounds worth of building projects for Rochdale. After the investment deals have been signed, the grant money has been divvied out and the additional council tax rolls in from these new houses, could future generations be the guinea pigs for environmental cancer if contamination is not dealt with properly?



Can the Chief Executive, councillors and officers honestly say, hand on heart, that they have no concerns at all about some planning decisions in Rochdale? Are they absolutely sure that property speculators in Rochdale receive planning permissions as a result of a completely fair, open and accountable process Start by having a proper enquiry over Akzo if you dare!

   wickedchop, you are right. Conjestion is the main issue. There are strict guidelines on contamination, you only have to look at the planning submission for the scheme to realise that! The site will be remediated/capped as required by the Environment Agency or other relevant authority. In my opinion a mixed development is the best thing that could happen to the site at littleborough!! Better Public Transport can help, but we all know that the government live in a dream world ehsn it comes to that, look at Johnny Two Jags!

   Its not just the contamination that is a problem. Stand in Littleborough at 7.30am to 8.30am and see the the traffic trying to flow along the Halifax road!!! 164 properties could mean up to 350 more cars as the properties will be private and who can survive on one income to buy a new house these days!!! How to ruin what was once a lovely village.

   Is that Paul Rowen or Mr Majeika?

   There should always be public meeting for such a large development and concerns. I fully support the MP in his call for meeting.