News

Invitation to the AGM

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held on Thursday 21^st November 2019 from 7:30pm at Spotland Methodist Church, Rooley Moor Road, Rochdale OL12 7ES

Everyone is warmly invited to attend this years AGM where we will report on the successes and challenges of the last year.

All views are welcome and voting for resolutions and candidates standing for election shall be taken by a simple majority of votes cast at the meeting (including proxy votes). Every member has one vote.

Proxy voting – Any member of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) may appoint another person as a proxy to exercise all or any of that member’s rights to attend, speak and vote at a general meeting of the CIO. Proxies must be appointed by a notice in writing (a “proxy notice”) – please see our constitution for further details.

The charity trustees consider voting by post or email is not required.

You may like to look at the AGM Agenda and Reports Pack, which includes the trustees report and financial statements, ahead of the meeting. This can be found online by clicking HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in November and to hearing your views and opinions about Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email: info@RMNF.org.uk

Rossendale Local Plan

Examination Hearing

Some members of RMNF have submitted Hearing Statements, concerning Matter 16 – Environment [Policies ENV1 – ENV10], to the Planning Inspectors for the Examination Hearing which will start on 24th September.

The Hearing Statements can be seen on Rossendale Council’s website: https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/downloads/download/11237/examination_library

The following link will take you to the current version of the Local Plan, this being the one before the Inspectors: https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/downloads/download/11166/rossendale_local_plan_submission_version_written_statement

Members of the public are able to attend the Examination Hearing and a draft copy of the hearing programme is available by clicking on the following link: EL1.006d_Rossendale_hearings_programme_v1_17_07_19

The Big Spring Clean

Saturday 23 March 2019

This Saturday is the Rochdale In Bloom Big Spring Clean, which is part of the national Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

The Catley Lane Head village spring clean is starting from 10.00 am. Meet at the BBC plaque (near the cattle grid). Some of the group will head down Woodhouse Lane towards Norden, where free refreshments will be available for volunteers from noon at the Old Library. Refreshments are also available for volunteers, from noon at Spotland Methodist Church.

Spotland & Falinge In Bloom is getting involved by organising 3 clean ups. These clean ups start at 10.45 am from any of the following points:

Spotland Bridge, by the Scout Hut
Spotland Walking Trail, Ings Lane
Black Dog Pub, Rooley Moor Road

Each team is heading towards Spotland Methodist Church for a sandwich and refreshments at noon.

The refreshments are kindly being provided by the local Co-op Food stores.

Litter picking equipment will be provided at each of the starting points.

Please come along and get involved.

Diary Dates

Pennine Prospects

Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage

Good afternoon,

Apologies for it being a while since my last update. It has been a busy start to the year with the final batch of woodland surveys being undertaken. Only two more left to go and then loads of reporting.

But that will not be the end of activities this year. Oh no! the project continues up to December, starting with a Woodland Festival this coming Sunday (see poster). So here are a few dates for the diary:

March 24^th

Woodland Festival as Hollingworth Lake hosted by Rochdale Council as part of the project (see attached poster)

April 13^th

The Archaeology of Redisher Woods walk hosted by Friends of Redisher Wood Local Nature Reserve: https://www.facebook.com/events/240348600175407/

April 27^th

Smithills Woodland Archaeology Walk hosted by the Woodland Trust: https://www.facebook.com/events/963493467372651/

May 11^th

QGIS Workshop in Hebden Bridge (more details to follow)

Learn how to use QGIS, a Geographical Information System software used by archaeologist when undertaking site and landscape wide investigations. The software has been used widely as part of the Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage project to manage the survey, view and analysis Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data as well as to georeferenced historic maps. If you fancy learning how to use it for yourself this is your chance (more information will be available next month for this event)

June 13^th & 14^th

Woodland Heritage Festival at Hollingworth Lake hosted by Rochdale Council as part of the project

June 16^th – 29^th

Community Excavation of possible First World War practice trenches recorded in Long Wood, Copley during the survey season of 2018. (more information to follow)

September (sometime and for charity)

Join me for a weekend walk along the Rochdale to Ilkley Roman Road and laugh as I do it dressed as a Roman Legionary to help raise money for a mental health charity.

Oh and there will be a further one or two woodland walks, where you can again laugh at me dressed as a 14^th century peasant (it’s a tough job … )!

There will be more events but I need to confirm dates and details. Not least for a couple of project round-up events later this year which will include the launch of the project book and sculpture trails.

Speak to you soon

All the best

Chris

Christopher Atkinson BA (Hons) MA

Heritage and Landscape Development Manager

Honorary Visiting Lecturer in SAFS University of Bradford

Lancashire Local History Federation

The Federation “At Home”

This year will be hosted by the Lancaster Archaeological & Historical Society on Saturday 15 June at the Quaker Meeting House in Lancaster.

Attached is a booking form with further details.

It looks a most interesting day so book early to avoid disappointment.

At Home with LAHS details and booking form

Sharing Heritage Project – Update

David Olusoga OBE.

David Olusoga OBE sends his congratulations to everyone involved in Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum on delivering their Sharing Heritage project, which was supported by national lottery players via the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

David is the Honorary President of Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum and has become a familiar face on British television screens. He is an expert on military history, race and slavery and members of the forum participated in one of the episodes of his BBC, “Black and British: A Forgotten History” series, which gave the inspiration for the project.

David says, “I first became involved with the forum whilst filming an episode for the Black & British series, which included the Cotton Famine Road on Rooley Moor near Rochdale.

At the time it stuck me that this stunningly beautiful area has a fascinating mixed and varied history including weaving wool and cotton before and after the industrial revolution, quarrying, coal mining, manufacturing munitions, the list goes on. Many reminders of this history, such as the Cotton Famine Road, have been left on the landscape and it is reflected in the buildings and architecture of the area.

It was the people who impressed me the most. Rochdale saw the birth of the Co-operative Pioneer Movement, which helped forge social change that was reflected in the attitudes and actions of Rochdale people during the American Civil War. That steadfast honesty seems to have passed down through the generations and it was clear to me that people really cared about the area and were proud of its history and heritage.

Through this National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, members of the forum have left a lasting legacy. The forum website has become a resource that future generations can explore; there are four visitor interpretation boards in various locations and view finders on top of two of the most prominent hills. All of the signs have QR codes that take you to various History and Heritage pages of the website when they are scanned. The boards also link to four heritage trails where people can print their own copy of the route and download GPX files. The heritage trails are short walks that can be joined together to accommodate walkers of varying abilities.

Congratulations to the whole community for pulling it all together, I’m proud to have been involved!”

About David Olusoga OBE

David graduated from University of Liverpool’s Department of History before going on to study broadcasting at Leeds Trinity University. He is Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester.

About Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum is a registered charity, charity number 1165601. For more information about the forum please see our website: https://www.rmnf.org.uk

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

HLF Project Completed

HLF Shared Heritage Project

A big THANK YOU to everyone involved in our HLF “Shared Heritage” project!

The project was completed at the end of January 2019 and there are now four visitor interpretation boards, one each in Catley Lane Head, Prickshaw, Greenbooth and Healey Dell and view finders on Knowl Hill and Top of Leach.

All of the signs have QR codes, which when they are scanned take you to various History and Heritage pages of our website.

The boards also link to four Heritage Trails where people can print their own copy of the route and download GPX files.

The heritage trails are short walks that can be joined together to accommodate walkers of varying abilities.

Public Consultation

Neighbourhood Plan Public Consultation Opens 8th February 2019

The Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Development Plan has been published for consultation by Rochdale Council. The Neighbourhood Development Plan has been prepared by Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum.

The consultation period runs for six weeks from Friday 8th February to Friday 22nd March 2019.

The complete Neighbourhood Development Plan, Screening Report for Environmental Assessment, Basic Conditions Statement and other supporting documents are available to view on the Council’s website: https://consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/and for inspection at Rochdale Central Library and Spotland Library.

A comments form is available which provides the opportunity to respond to the consultation.

Following the consultation process on the Neighbourhood Development Plan, the Plan will be forwarded to an Independent Examiner whose role it is to recommend amendments and whether or not the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Development Plan should proceed to referendum, and then ‘Made’ by Rochdale Council and used to determine planning applications in the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Area.

Please ensure that your comments reach Rochdale Council by 5pm Friday, 22^ndMarch 2019 whether by post or email.

If you would like more information, please contact Strategic Planning on 01706 924252 or email to LDF.consultation@rochdale.gov.uk

_______________________________________

Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Development Plan – Public Consultation

Rochdale Borough Council

Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended)

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIONS PROCEDURE

The Council is now seeking views and comments from residents and interested stakeholders on the proposed plan, in line with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Subject Matter

The Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area were designated by Rochdale Council in 2015. The Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Development Plan sets out new planning policies for the development and use of land in the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Area to the year 2028.

Period of Public Consultation

Representations are invited on the Neighbourhood Development Plan for a period of 6 weeks from Friday 8th February to Friday 22^ndMarch 2019.

Inspecting the Consultation Documents

During this public consultation, copies of the Neighbourhood Plan and other associated consultation documents listed below will be available to view on the Council’s website at https://consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/and will also be available for inspection at the following locations:

Location

Opening Hours

Rochdale Central Library

Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU

Monday 9am – 7:30pm

Tuesday 9am – 5:30pm

Wednesday 9am – 5:30pm

Thursday 9am – 5:30pm

Friday 9am – 5:30pm

Saturday 9:30am – 5pm

Spotland Library

Ings Lane

Rochdale

OL12 7AL

Monday 9.30am- 1pm and 2pm- 7.30pm

Tuesday 9.30am- 1pm and 2pm- 5.30pm

Wednesday Closed.

Thursday 9.30am- 1pm and 2pm- 5.30pm

Friday 9.30pm- 1pm and 2pm – 5.30pm

Saturday 9.30am- 12.30pm

Sunday Closed

Documents that are available to view are:

Designated Area Plan
Basic Conditions Statement (November 2018)
Equalities Impact Assessment
Consultation Statement
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report
Comments Form

For those without personal internet access, the document can be viewed via the web at all other council libraries. For information regarding your nearest library and opening times, please phone the Library Service on 0300 303 8876.

Making Representations on the Neighbourhood Plan

Comments can be made using the Comments Form:

by e-mail to LDF.consultation@rochdale.gov.uk
by post to Strategic Planning, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU

Please note that copies of all comments received will be made available for public inspection and therefore cannot be treated as confidential.

For more information phone Strategic Planning on Tel: 01706 924252 or email LDF.consultation@rochdale.gov.uk

Neighbourhood Plan Approved for Public Consultation

Rochdale Township Committee

At a meeting on the 23rd January 2019 the Township Committee approved the neighbourhood plan to go to public consultation. The following is taken from the meeting minutes:

ROOLEY MOOR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – SUBMISSION

39 The Director of Economy advised the Township Committee that the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Plan had been submitted to the Council by the relevant qualifying body, Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum. The Local Planning Authority is therefore required, by The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, to make a decision as to whether the submitted documents complied with the relevant statutory requirements under regulation 15.

The submitted documents had been assessed against the relevant statutory requirements, which derive from the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. This assessment had concluded that the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to being formally published by the Council and to being submitted for examination under Regulations 16 and 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

Alternatives considered:
A Neighbourhood Plan was optional and would be produced by the local community, therefore, the issues for communities to consider related to the time and resource needed to develop a Neighbourhood Development Plan as opposed to seeking an alternative policy tool.

Resolved:
1. The process for assessing the submitted draft Neighbourhood Plan and for making a decision regarding meeting the relevant statutory requirements under regulation 15 (Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012), be noted.
2. The Township Committee agrees that, the submitted Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Plan, can proceed to formal publication and that it be submitted for examination, including the making of arrangements for the holding of an examination by an appointed examiner, under Regulations 16 and 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

Reasons for the decision:
The Director of Economy advised that Regulations 5 to 20 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 set out the requirements for preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. The requirement for the Local Planning Authority to make a decision at this stage was whether the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Plan met the various relevant statutory requirements, as contained in Regulation 15 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. Following which Regulation 16 required that consultation be undertaken prior to carrying out an examination into the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Plan.
Eligible for Call-in: Yes.

Here is a link to the full meeting detail:

http://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=118&MId=4835&Ver=4