Residents rally to deny Castleton Co-op

Date published: 04/07/2008

Councillors threw out a planning application to build a Co-op store on the site of Castleton Car Sales after more than fifty residents protested against the development.

Planning officers recommended the development be given the green light but Rochdale Township planning councillors went against their advice amidst fears over the parking facilities for service vehicles at the site.

Castleton Councillor Pat Flynn said at the meeting: "A convenience store sounds inoffensive, but once alcohol is introduced that's when the trouble starts.

"The local drunks are old enough to buy alcohol for youngsters and this is something we've been trying to stop in Castleton.

"This development will be detrimental to the well being of residents."

Castleton Car Sales owner Terry Caveney, who is behind the proposals, said that the Council should not bow down to the anti-socials. He told Councillors: "Has it come to a point where we don't provide a local facility for local people because of the actions of a minority?"