A company based in Shawclough, Rochdale has retrospectively applied for change of use to manufacture kitchen and bedroom units after ‘breaching’ planning permission submitted in 2015.

‘It’s All In The Image’ at the Jape Two Business Park on Turnpike Close has retrospectively applied for approval to manufacture kitchen and bedroom units, which it has been doing since July 2019.

Planning permission for the company, originally a rubber manufacturer, was initially granted in 2015 but a change of use requires separate consent.

The need for retrospective change of use came about following an investigation by Rochdale Borough Council regarding what it says was “a possible a breach of conditions” in connection to site access.

The original planning permission says HGVs and other commercial vehicles are only to access the site between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Prior to 2015, access was granted between 9am and 3pm but was extended, regardless of objections at the time.

Despite access being prohibited outside of these hours, residents of Turnpike Close and Dell Side Way say rigid and articulated HGVs have been entering the kitchen company’s site before 9am and on weekends.

Other concerns by residents included noise – which the council’s public protection department deemed “satisfactory” – and safety of their children with HGVs reversing down the street before 9am when many parents are leaving for the school run.

An independent noise assessment submitted as part of the new change of use application said there had “been no complaints about the factory operational noise” and suggested noise impact was “low.”

To date, 13 objections have been received, and 21 supporting comments.

Objections and supporting comments can be made until 18 November via Rochdale Borough Council’s planning portal.