Future of huge housing project next to motorway among three major plans to be decided

The future of a huge new housing development next to the M67 and a controversial row of terraces are set to be decided at a crunch meeting next week. Tameside[1] Council’s planning panel will have to make a call on a number of planning matters on November 13, and at the top of that agenda is a 122-property scheme just north of Hyde[2] town centre. It is hoped the proposal will breathe new life into the old Newton[3] Banks print works.

The premises used to be home to industrial workers for over a hundred years before becoming a hub for the preparation, printing and packaging of textiles. It then closed down more than a decade ago. There has been some resistance to the scheme among locals, who fear it could cause traffic congestion on the already-busy Clarendon Road.

Similarly, a proposal for seven terraced homes in Mossley has led to outrage over the potential for traffic issues. One described the idea for the plan, just off a busy town centre junction, as having the potential to ‘gridlock the town’. These are the most significant projects that the planning panel will have to decide on next week.

They will meet at Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden[5] to consider the matters on Wednesday morning. Here is a closer look at each application in detail…

Former print works could be transformed into new homes

The former Newton Banks print works in Hyde could soon become a residential development with 122 new homes. Situated just north of Hyde’s town centre next to the M67, what is left of the old industrial site could soon be bulldozed to make way for the collection of family-sized homes.

The majority of the houses (72) to be built by Eccleston Homes will have four-bedrooms.

Location of old Newton Banks print works near Hyde (Image: Tameside Council planning documents)

Another 46 homes will have three bedrooms with just four with two bedrooms on the land off Clarendon Road. There would be 18 homes available for affordable rates (up to 80 per cent of market value). In total, 11 would be up for social rent and the other seven for shared ownership.

All the properties will be two-storeys in height and each will have dedicated off road parking with private gardens to the front and rear. A new public realm with open spaces, a play park and landscaped gardens are all part of the proposals submitted.

CGI of new homes planned for old Newton Banks print works near Hyde (Image: Tameside Council planning documents)

Historically the site was used for bleaching and printing operations from 1816. More recently the site has been used for the preparation, printing and packaging of textiles until 2007.

Some design and administrative operations remained on site until demolition commenced in 2014. Only a small number of objectors have lodged concerns with the council over the plans. These concerns mainly relate to the possibility of increased traffic in an already congested area for cars.

Planning papers read: “Our vision for the redevelopment of the site is to create places for people which can improve their quality of life. To do this we introduce all of the social, environmental and economic elements that help to make attractive vibrant places to live, so far as the scale of the development will allow.” Planning officers have recommended approval for this project.

They have taken into account the benefits of affordable homes and the contributions to the highways programme and local amenities. The officers also highlighted that the plans have been scaled down from 130 to 122 homes by the developer following initial consultation.

Plan for new terraced homes in the centre of Mossley

Seven new terraced homes could soon be built off Stamford Road in Mossley, if plans are approved. A small grassy bank next to the San Giorgio restaurant has been chosen as the location for the two-bedroom properties by Wickens Estates Ltd.

The former location of Stamford Heights would see the heights of the homes increase moving in a westerly direction, reflecting the changes in ground levels along Stamford Road.

Land off Stamford Road, Mossley touted for new terraced homes (Image: Google Maps)

Private courtyards would be created at the back of each home facing George Street as well as stone wall boundaries at the front. The site slopes steeply from Stamford Road up to the back of properties on George Street, to the south of the site. A public footpath runs between no.

9 George Street and The Blazing Rag Public House, leading through the site. The initial plan was for eight terraced homes, but the developer has since scaled back the plans by one home. This application has caused a stink in the town since it was tabled.

Locals have objected to it as well as the Mossley Town Council. Huge traffic problems, increased pollution from stationary vehicles and long-term disruption to local residents were at the core of the issues felt by the town council and the 47 objectors. In her letter of objection, Coun Tafheen Sharif said: “Considering the proximity of the development site to the Mossley town centre junctions, this development would gridlock the town.”

Despite the local concern, the planning officers have recommended approval for this application.

Vacant Hindu worship centre could be turned into apartments

Ashton site off Russell Street touted to become a new apartment block (Image: Tameside Council planning documents)

The former home of a Hindu place of worship could soon be transformed into an apartment block, if developers get approval. The site, off Russell Street, was used by the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission from the 1980’s up until 2015. The Hindu community eventually decided to develop a new purpose-built temple which was completed by October 2021.

Now MON Properties Ltd wants to create 20 new apartments over four floors, just outside Ashton[6] town centre. The plan consists of 11 studio apartments as well as three, one-bedroom and six, two-bedroom apartments. Considering its close proximity to transport links, schools and colleges as well as shops, it is deemed an ideal location by developers for new homes.

Very few letters of objection were submitted for this scheme.

They mainly relate to the lack of parking available in the plan, suggesting it could cause parking problems locally.

Planning officers have recommended approval for the scheme.

References

1. ^ Tameside (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Hyde (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Newton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ The half-built ‘luxury’ sheep shelter causing uproar in a small village (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Droylsden (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Ashton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)