Farm shop boasting café and community room could open near popular beauty spot

A new farm shop boasting its own café and community room could soon open near a popular local beauty spot.

Bank Top Farm, close to Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough, has submitted plans for the new attraction in a bid to take its business ‘to the next level’ and boost the local economy.

The two-storey building would be built just off Hollingworth Road – about a third of a mile from the lake.

However, planning papers say that the ‘high quality’ new facility would sit into the slope of the hillside and only have ‘limited impact’ on the openness and appearance of the picturesque area.

A document submitted with the application explains it is becoming increasingly difficult to make farms the size of Bank Top viable -and ‘diversification’ is often necessary ‘to ensure future existence’.

It also notes that the government encourages local authorities to ‘support well-conceived plans for diversification in rural areas including green belt land’. 

“The proposed development is a means of diversifying by formalising and improving an existing part-time ‘farm shop’ operation which has been well used by local customers over several years,” the document adds.

“This very accessible site is well positioned to serve the local community and provide it with permanent facilities that will enhance the area. 

“The careful design of the building and its integration into the landscape in both form and materials will have no ill effect on the green belt.

"This development should therefore be considered as appropriate and desirable to serve the local community and secure the ongoing viability of Bank Top Farm.”

Plans to build on the green belt in Littleborough have been highly controversial in recent years.

But the community appears to back the scheme. To date 38 messages of support have been received, while there has been just one objection.

According to planning papers the ground floor of the new building would include the farm shop and café, with customers entering from the front of the building.

A second door would lead to the front patio area where customers can sit at tables and enjoy food bought from the cafe.

Upstairs would be the community room with an outdoor terrace area running along the front of the building for break-out space.

This level also includes a kitchen and toilet facilities.

Cars and other vehicles would enter and leave the site via a new two-way access point from Hollingworth Road.

A separate pedestrian entrance is proposed via an upgrade to the existing field gate.

It can also be reached via footpaths along Hollingworth Road and there is a bus stop for those travelling by public transport.

The proposed car park would provide 15 spaces, including three disaled bays and a minibus parking space. 

Planning papers argue the facility would bring a number of benefits that amount to the ‘very special circumstances’ required to build in the green belt.

These include a boost to tourism, support to other local farms and businesses, and potential new employment opportunities.

The building, described as being of ‘high design quality’, could also host education visits and provide a room where community groups could meet or hold events.

If Rochdale council is minded to grant planning permission, final approval will be needed from the secretary of state, due to the site’s green belt location.

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