New public car park included in plans for Ramsbottom housing estate

The plans, which include creating a 47-space public car park for visitors to the town, have been submitted by Eccleston Homes, which wish to build the new estate at the former Holcombe Mill, also known as the Mondi paper mill site, on Bridge Street.

The scheme has been recommended for approval by Bury Council officers ahead of a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, July 9.

The scale of the housing development has previously been described Ramsbottom Heritage Society as the largest single housing development in the town centre for "getting on for 200 years".

A similar application for 73 homes at the site was rejected by Bury’s planning committee in May 2022 citing concerns about potential flooding and effects on the roads.

An appeal was lodged on behalf of Eccleston Homes but was dismissed by a planning inspector who found that insufficient evidence was provided to assess flood risks at the site.

Commenting on the proposals, Ramsbottom Civic Pride, which are responsible for maintaining the gardens and  green spaces in the town, say Eccleston "have made compromises that are perfectly acceptable" and that "the site now needs developing, providing new homes".

The revised application includes plans for two, two-bed semi-detached homes, 31 three-bed houses and 24 four-bed detached homes along with a 47-space public car park and open space.

A layout of the plans

The application said the homes would be constructed to respond positively to the Ramsbottom conservation area and include keeping the brick chimney stack.

The former mill site has been vacant with most building being demolished since it closed in 2008.

The brick chimney stack at the site will remain if the plans are approved

A design and access report in support of the plans said: “The key changes since the previous scheme relate to the introduction of a new public car park and new improvements to the existing access from Bridge Street.

“The access will be widened and a footpath is now proposed on either side of the road.

"This will also accommodate a turning into the new public car park.

“The provision of this car park will require the removal of the two existing stone buildings and has also resulted in a reduction in the total number of dwellings proposed.”

With regard to flood risk the report said an updated flood risk and drainage assessment had been prepared.

The report said: “The proposed drainage strategy has been updated and additional hydraulic modelling has been carried out to demonstrate that the proposed development does not increase flood risk on Bridge Street, and more generally reduces modelled flood levels.”