Two Years On: No Resolution
for "It's All In The Image" Planning Issues
Residents of Healey and Shawclough are growing increasingly frustrated with Rochdale Council over the unresolved planning enforcement issues concerning "It’s All In The Image Ltd." Despite the matter being raised over two years ago, no meaningful progress has been made, leaving residents feeling ignored and powerless.
The issue began when residents highlighted persistent breaches of planning conditions by the business. Complaints included out-of-hours operations, noise disturbances, and large delivery vehicles causing disruption and safety concerns in the local area. Despite residents providing substantial evidence over the past two years, the council has failed to take decisive action to resolve the situation.
Numerous attempts have been made to escalate the matter. Emails between residents, council representatives, and planning officers reveal ongoing discussions but little concrete action. Although the Labour controlled council has acknowledged the breach of planning conditions and confirmed that Environmental Health has been engaged to assess the noise nuisance and other harms caused by the business, no enforcement action has been taken.
Residents feel abandoned by the Labour Council, after countless hours logging incidents, taking photos and videos, submitting reports to the council, and vague assurances that the matter is being "investigated."
Andy Lord told FOCUS that “The council seems unable or unwilling to take decisive action despite a clear breach of planning conditions. This issue is emblematic of a broader problem with how residents’ voices are being drowned out by bureaucracy in Rochdale. The council’s priority should be the wellbeing and safety of its residents, not the convenience of businesses flouting planning rules."
“As long as the Council continues to drag its feet on this matter, I will remain committed to supporting residents in holding the Council and our Councillors to account. I urge the council to prioritise this case and take the necessary steps to enforce planning regulations, ensuring that the rights and safety of local residents are upheld.”
