Planning Applications | Object to Rock Nook Mill Development

Site Details

Site: Former Rock Nook Mill, Todmorden Road, Littleborough OL15 9EW · Developer: Gay O'Gara Properties (Ireland) Ltd · Consultant: WSP UK Ltd (Nick Fillingham, Director)
Planning authority: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council · Portal search: publicaccess.rochdale.gov.uk — search postcode OL15 9EW

Application types: Screening / EIA request Full planning application Appeal Other

Submitted Applications

Applications to date

Request for EIA Screening Opinion

OTH/2026/0588

Awaiting Council decision

Application type

EIA Screening Opinion (Other)

Submitted by

WSP UK Ltd (Nick Fillingham)

On behalf of

Gay O'Gara Properties (Ireland) Ltd

Portal link

View on Rochdale portal ↗

The developer has asked Rochdale Council to determine whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required before the planning application is submitted. The 19-page screening report, prepared by WSP UK Ltd, argues that no EIA is needed and that the development will not result in significant environmental effects. Rochdale Council must now issue a Screening Opinion — either agreeing (no EIA required) or directing that an EIA must be carried out.

What is a Screening Opinion?

A Request for Screening Opinion is a procedural step under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. Before submitting a full planning application, a developer can ask the local planning authority to rule on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. The Council must respond within 3 weeks. This application is not the planning application itself — it is a preliminary step. The formal planning application will follow.

Note: There are strong grounds to require a full EIA for this site

The developer's screening report argues that no Environmental Impact Assessment is required. Residents and consultees may wish to make representations to Rochdale Council that a full EIA should be directed, given the nature of this site. Relevant considerations include:

✗ Area 3 (Lock 44) is designated Green Belt — a statutory designation carrying significant environmental and policy weight that should be fully assessed.
✗ The Rochdale Canal, adjacent to Areas 3 and 4, is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) — designations that ordinarily trigger a requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment and detailed environmental scrutiny.
✗ The site falls within the zone of influence of the South Pennine Moors SAC/SPA, which is covered by a specific adopted Supplementary Planning Document (May 2025). The SPD imposes strict requirements on development within defined buffer zones around this internationally designated habitat — requirements the screening report does not address.

Representations on the Screening Opinion can be made to Rochdale Council's planning department quoting reference OTH/2026/0588.

View on Rochdale portal ↗ Objection grounds Who to write to

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Full planning application — not yet submitted

The formal planning application is expected to follow the Screening Opinion. This tracker will be updated with full details — reference number, key dates, consultation deadline, and a direct link to object — as soon as it is registered by Rochdale Council.

Process

Where we are

June 2026

Pre-application public consultation opened

Developer ran a six-week public consultation on their proposals.
10 July 2026

Pre-application consultation closed

The developer's consultation period ended. All responses must be included in the developer's Statement of Community Involvement accompanying the formal application.
July 2026

Request for EIA Screening Opinion submitted

WSP UK Ltd submitted a 19-page screening report to Rochdale Council on behalf of Gay O'Gara Properties, arguing that no Environmental Impact Assessment is required.
OTH/2026/0588
Expected within 3 weeks of submission

Rochdale Council issues Screening Opinion

Rochdale Council must respond within 3 weeks, either confirming no EIA is required or directing the developer to produce a full Environmental Statement. The outcome will affect the scope and complexity of the formal application.
Summer / Autumn 2026 — expected

Formal planning application submitted

The developer is expected to submit a full planning application to Rochdale Borough Council. Once submitted and validated, a statutory public consultation period opens for objections.
After submission

Validation, consultation period and statutory consultee responses

Rochdale Council validates the application and notifies statutory consultees including the Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England, and the Canal & River Trust. A public consultation period — typically 21 days — opens for objections.
TBC

Planning committee consideration

Given the scale and complexity of this proposal, it is expected to be referred to Rochdale Council's Planning and Licensing Committee for determination rather than decided by officers under delegated powers.
TBC

Decision

The committee grants or refuses the application. If refused, the developer has 6 months to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

When the Full Application is Submitted

How to object formally

Once the formal planning application is submitted and validated, everyone has a statutory right to object. Here's how:

Submitting a formal objection to Rochdale Council

Go to publicaccess.rochdale.gov.uk and search for the application by reference number or postcode OL15 9EW.
Click Make a Comment. You will need to register for a free account — do this now so you are ready when the application appears.
Select Object and state your reasons clearly. Refer to any of the objection grounds on this site.
Submit before the consultation deadline shown on the application page. Late representations may still be considered at the committee's discretion.
Also email [email protected] directly with the application reference — this ensures your objection is on the file regardless of any portal issues.