Building conversion at Sheephouse Fold, Stacksteads, Bacup
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Rossendale Development Control Committee on 1 Sept 2026.
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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See the API →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)
- All decisions
- Rossendale committee decisions →
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.