Council bosses say they could take action over an ‘eyesore’ recycling site they say is blighting a village. Globaltyre has been operating from a former car dealership, in Castleton, Rochdale, since last year, processing old tyres which are sent overseas for use in road surfacing and other purposes.
The council understands the firm is properly licensed, but chiefs say they have not gained permission for a change of use at the Manchester Road site - and may have broken planning rules. The authority says its enforcement team is currently investigating a potential breach of planning control following complaints from residents and ward councillors - and will ‘determine the appropriate course of action going forward’.
Castleton councillor Billy Sheerin says that the plot's appearance is having a negative impact on the area. “This business is creating a heavy visual impact on the area in how it is operating,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service in a statement.
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“The residents of Castleton do not deserve to have the area blighted in this way.”
However, opinion in the area appears to be mixed. While some agree the recycling firm should not be operating from a site in the heart of the village, others say it is a legitimate local company that should be encouraged.
There are also people who say that construction of a new cycle lane - the first phase of which stretches from the Royal Toby Hotel to Castleton railway station - is causing more disruption to their lives than the Globaltyre site.
Among those who agreed with Coun Sheerin’s comments was Malcolm Law, who told the LDRS that the ‘tyre dump’ was ‘a mess and an eyesore'.
Amanda Hughes also felt the business was not in an appropriate location. “The pitch where the tyre place is should’ve been used for the new car park instead of unnecessarily demolishing green land and dumping a load of tyres on there that ruins the look of what should be a new look Castleton with the new cycle lane structure,” she said.
Peter Moore added: “It's an absolute eyesore and should not be in the middle of a village, it should be in an industrial area.”
But Chintan Patel, who runs the Nisa convenience store opposite Globaltyre, defended the recycling firm, and said the construction of a new cycle lane through the village was taking more of a toll on his business.
“There’s nothing wrong with them,” he said. “It’s not a dumping yard, they have just opened the business. People need to give them a chance."
Meanwhile Geraldine Regan branded the site ‘an absolute eyesore'.
She also questioned the under-construction cycle lane which runs past Globaltyre site: “Do they really think people are going to cycle through the village to take in the beautiful site of endless kebab houses and derelict pubs,” she added.
Helen Critchlow agreed. “This has led to destruction of a lovely green area and uprooting of trees to build a car park, and people no longer being able to park outside their homes and businesses.”she said.
The new cycle lane is intended to eventually reach Rochdale town centre and is the largest single scheme in Greater Manchester’s ‘Bee Network’. Castleton was selected for the project due to a lack of cycling infrastructure on the route.
The council and supporters of the scheme, such as the campaign group Walk Ride Rochdale, say it will improve air quality, road safety and people’s health.
Andrew Storey, head of highways, said: “The Bee Network in Castleton means cyclists will have their own space away from traffic, reducing the likelihood of serious accidents.
“The result will be healthier and more sustainable travel options for everyone and reduced emissions from polluting vehicles. It’s also supporting the wider regeneration in Castleton, which includes new housing on brownfield sites and plans to improve the East Lancs railway line."
He added: "The council has undertaken an extensive consultation process and changes and improvements have been made in light of the feedback.”
Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “The council’s planning enforcement team is aware that a tyre business is operating from the former car showroom on Manchester Road in Castleton.
“Enquiries are ongoing to investigate the potential breach of planning control and determine the appropriate course of action going forward.”
Globaltyre was contacted for comment.
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