RESIDENTS have been assured by Tameside Council that they are working to resolve the issues relating to a controversial development in Ashton.
The move to build five houses on Grove Street, on a small 0.9-acre plot known locally as Backfield, has been met with fierce opposition.
The Save the Backfield Facebook Group was formed to try and preserve the land which they argued was designated to be left as a children’s play area open space when the estate was built in 1980.
Tameside Council sold the land to developer Darsons Homes for £160,000 in 2017 and building work recently began, despite efforts by residents to have the land preserved as an asset of community value.
They claim planning conditions have been broken including trees being illegally removed from the site and mud being deposited on local road because of the lack of wheel washing facilities.
In a lengthy response, a Tameside Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of complaints concerning development activity associated with the development of five houses on Grove Street, Ashton, which were granted planning permission in January 2019.
“Works have recently commenced on site and subsequent complaints have been received on the basis that the developer is not complying with a number of conditions attached to the permission.
“In particular, these include the absence of wheel cleaning facilities intended to minimise the potential for mud deposits on the public highway, and the removal of trees that were indicated for retention on the approved plans. A number of health and safety concerns have also been raised including reports that the site was being left open and unattended overnight.
“Officers have formally responded to those residents who have raised concerns and advised that they are actively working with the developer to resolve such concerns.
“Grove Street continues to be regularly inspected by officers given the reports of deposits on roads and adjacent footpaths and are aware that the developer has already engaged the services of a road sweeper to clean Grove Street.
“It is understood that pressure washing facilities will be made available once a water connection to the site has been secured.
“The developer has also committed to ensuring that the trees which have been removed will be replaced towards the completion of the development which aligns with the requirements of the relevant condition. Officers have also recently visited the site in the evening hours and observed that the site was appropriately secured.
“Any residents who observe activity on the site which gives genuine cause for health and safety concerns should report this to the Health and Safety Executive who is responsible for enforcing such matters on building sites.
“The council continues to take the concerns raised by residents very seriously but recognises that all development activity inevitably causes a degree of localised inconvenience and disruption to surrounding residents. The conditions attached to the planning permission aim to minimise these impacts and if these conditions are not being complied with, and which results in significant issues that justify it, the council will consider making use of its formal planning enforcement powers.”
David Broadbent, founder of the Save the Backfield Facebook Group, received an update from a resident who wrote: “Darsons Homes seem to be untouchable, the conditions which were imposed on them regarding removal of trees, wheel washing facilities and others have been completely ignored.
“The site has been left unfenced and completely unguarded when they leave. Children have been seen in the area. Should any persons be injured after dark or at any other time, just how will they justify the land being open and exposed to all?
“As the soil is removed and along with other debris from the site, large agricultural vehicles and tipper trucks enter Grove Street and without any wheel washing go straight out along Grove Street and onto Newmarket Road.
“They are leaving large trails of mud and diesel on the roadway. Grove Street is so narrow residents have to park on the footpaths to allow these contractors vehicles through. People walking past continue to complain about this road surface and the detritus of mud and diesel being walked on their driveways and house carpets. When is this going to stop?
“A month ago, two residents were assured by the site manager there was to be a standpipe fitted at the exit where vehicles leave the site with an operative making sure that the wheels are cleaned of mud before they leave the site.
“This has never happened. The mud continues to be deposited, the site completely cleared of all the hedgerow, brush and trees, trees which were supposed to be left in situ as part of the planning conditions, conditions that were imposed to make the residents lives less affected by this abhorrent new build. But as we know Darsons Homes ignore planning conditions and appear to get away with it.
“This is not my individual rant. We are receiving regular updates and complaints about the site from residents who are unhappy.
“What many make clear is they blame Tameside Council for selling the land in the first place.”
The Correspondent has approached Darsons Homes previously, but they have declined to comment.