Building conversion at Sheephouse Fold, Stacksteads, Bacup

Summary of planning committee decision

Decided by Rossendale Development Control Committee on 1 Sept 2026.

2025/0408ApprovedAgainst officer advice

No officer report was published for this decision; this summary is from the committee minutes.

What was proposed

The application was to convert an existing building, previously approved as a garage, rather than build a new dwelling.

“Discussion on definition of isolated and unsustainable location • Garage previously approved • Transportation issues at site • NPPF guidance on isolation new dwellings in countryside • Clarification of difference of existing building and new dwelling • No objections from others…”

“A proposal was moved and seconded to approve the application contrary to Officer’s recommendation. The reasons for approval were a balanced decision to be applied based on the definition of isolation and this being a conversion of an existing building and not a new dwelling. Any planning conditions to be applied are delegated to the Head and Chair of Planning.”

Minutes

Who spoke

A supporter spoke in favour of the application, and members asked clarifying questions.

What members debated

Members discussed access on Greens Lane, a private footpath, transport issues, and whether the site counted as an isolated, unsustainable location under national policy.

“In determining the application, the Committee discussed the following: • Access issues on Greens Lane • Clarification on Policy H011 • Private footpath on site…”

Minutes

Decision

The application was approved contrary to the officer's recommendation, with conditions delegated to the Head of Planning and the Chair of Committee.

“Resolved: Approved contrary to officers’ recommendation. Planning conditions delegated to the Head of Planning and Chair of Committee.”

Minutes

The members' reasons

The minutes do not record the members' reasons for departing from the officers' recommendation.

Sources

  • Rossendale Development Control Committee minutes, 1 September 2026
  • Agenda and papers (council website)

Source: Plota analysis of Rossendale's committee minutes. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.

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At the meeting

Council
Rossendale
Date
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Committee decided
Approved, against officer advice
Minutes
The council's minutes
Meeting
Agenda and papers (council website)
Application
The application (council website)

This committee's year

52 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.

Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.

Every decision by this council's committees →