A major plan for more than 200 new houses has proved controversial among nearby residents.
If approved the development will see a total of 238 homes built just west of Market Street in Edenfield, with people living in the area given six weeks to make their feelings known.
But many of them say they are not happy with the timing, given that time period will include the World Cup and Christmas which they believe could prove distracting for potential objectors.
Edenfield Community Neighbourhood Forum chair Ian Lord said: “The masterplan we were promised has failed Edenfield.
“The sneak timing is an insult and notification letters were only received sometime after the start of the consultation, further limiting our opportunity to react.
“The masterplan is severely lacking, with no real scrutiny of traffic issues, amongst other failings Taylor Wimpey’s Transport Assessment really only deals with the 238 houses on their site, it does not properly take into account the other developments and their cumulative effects on traffic numbers.
“They are also making a huge assumption that entry to the Chatterton Hey site can be gained through Exchange Street and Highfield Road.
“Lancashire County Council Highways Department has already recommended that this is not suitable.
“The council has offered just two dates for a public consultation in the Edenfield Community Centre, being two midweek appointments during working hours, which unfortunately is when everyone will be at work.”
Another resident and forum member, father-of-two David Rawcliffe, said: “If you were cynically minded, you’d see it as a smash and grab.
“Designed to overwhelm community groups and council planning departments and an obvious tactic to limit community engagement and opinion.”
But the developers believe that the site could be ideal for new housing.
A statement prepared by Pegasus Group said: “The site is well connected to the surrounding urban area of Edenfield, Rossendale, and benefits from easy access to public transport and strategic highway links within close proximity of the site.
“The plan opposite illustrates the location of the site within the context of the local access and movement network.
“At present the site is only accessible through a Public Right of Way from Market Street.
“The site is well served by public transport services from Market Street providing access to key bus and services.
"The site is also well connected to existing walking and cycling routes.”
They have also said that the public have the opportunity to give their views on the wider masterplan before the current plan was lodged.
The statement said: “A public consultation exercise for the H66 masterplan process was undertaken prior to the submission of this planning application.
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“This public consultation exercise related to the whole H66 allocation, which will deliver approximately 400 dwellings, seeking to gain views on the overall masterplan and agreeing high-level principles.
“This consultation provided the opportunity for local residents to provide feedback online and via post/phone.
“A webinar was also held for residents to ask questions of the development team.”
The consultation will be open until January 3.
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