The Lake Garage (Smithybridge) Ltd, Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough, Lancashire, OL15 0BQ

Planning appeal 3348915 at The Lake Garage (Smithybridge) Ltd, Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough, Lancashire, OL15 0BQ (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council) was dismissed on 13 February 2025 by Inspector Taylor K, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on highway safety, with regard to all road users, and vehicles using Smithy Bridge Road.

demolition of existing building and erection of convenience store (Use Class E) including ATM machine, car parking and access

Authority: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: retail · Minor retail and services
Inspector: Taylor K
Postcode: OL15 0BQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on highway safety, with regard to all road users, and vehicles using Smithy Bridge Road

What decided it

The proposal would cause unacceptable harm to highway safety for all road users due to the constrained site layout, inadequate parking, and inability to safely accommodate service vehicle deliveries on Smithy Bridge Road, contrary to development plan policies and the Framework.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy T2Policy DM1Policy JP-C8Policy JPC-1
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 115Paragraph 116Paragraph 117

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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More decisions in Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.