Planning Applications - Hyndburn Borough Council

• It would create 150 extra jobs, so people who live in Great Harwood can work here.
This would partially offset the previous loss of 400 jobs when Unilever area left the area
after an attempt to construct a new factory was considerably delayed by a few objectors.
• It would bring substantial Business Rates for the Council.
• Residents of Windsor Road have been plagued day and night by noise pollution from
the Metflex factory, and are unable to open windows or on many occasions unable to
sleep at night due to the constant reverberations from its machinery and expellers.
Fumes from the factory are obnoxious and Environmental Health have been involved in
the past, to enforce the firm to replace their filtering system.
• He feels that a majority of people in the town support the application but have not had a
chance to show it. The public meeting was dominated by objectors, and many people
who supported the proposal could not show their support by questions. Following the
meeting, the local press only reported the objections. He and the vast majority of
townspeople feel sure that the Planning Department will be looking at a much bigger
picture which will allow Great Harwood to move forward in a much more positive way;
standing still and looking back is not the answer.
• It is very important to secure the long term future of Metflex and its employees; that in
itself supports the town.
• She queries whether it is ethical and acceptable in terms of copyright for the objectors to
copy pieces from newspapers and distribute them with a duplicated letter to residents.
The applicant has submitted further representations following the submission of the planning
application by the Co-op. They conclude that there is adequate quantitative need for both the Tesco
proposal and the extension to the Co-op store to both proceed and trade. However they also agree
with WYG that the proposed extension to the Co-op store would not, in itself, be sufficient to
achieve significant retention of Great Harwood shoppers in the town or encourage new shoppers
from the catchment area to visit Great Harwood. The applicant has commented on the Co-op’s
Sustainability Appraisal of the development but take a contrary view to the objector.
The applicant summarises that their scheme would secure the following retail and other wider
regeneration benefits for the town:
• Redevelopment of an unattractive ‘gateway’ site into Great Harwood town centre
incorporating a modern building;
• Providing a potential catalyst for other investors and regeneration in other areas of the
town;
• Making more efficient use of urban land given that the existing business on the site
does not utilise the full site area;
• Relocating an existing employer (Metflex) to modern premises required for future
operation and potential expansion of that business.
• This would secure 75 full time and 25 seasonal jobs in manufacturing in Great
Harwood;
• Relocating that business to a more appropriate ‘location’ on an area identified for
industrial uses in Great Harwood;
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