Plan for apartments on derelict land refused

A piece of derelict land in Mossley has been vacant since 1940, but a plan to build apartments on it has been rejected.

The proposal for 36 new homes across two, three-storey apartment blocks would ‘result in a poor standard of living for future occupiers’, according to Tameside council’s planning officers. 

Joint developers Bridgewater Land and Developments Ltd and Jigsaw Homes argued it would bring ‘high-quality, affordable housing that complements the existing character of the area’.

The piece of land, off Egmont Street, is sandwiched between two industrial sites and was last for storage, Tameside council’s planning panel was told.

The new homes would sit just a stone’s throw from both the Egmont Street Playing Fields and Mossley Railway Station.

All the homes would be available at an affordable rate (up to 80 per cent of market value).

Planning officers felt that the failure to justify the loss of employment land; the close proximity to industrial buildings; a lack of outdoor space; and a poor standard of living for occupiers was enough to recommended refusing the plan. 

The applicants explained that the land was not ‘economically viable’ for employment land, and urged the panel to approve the plan.

Even local ward councillor Jack Homer supported the plans, something he admitted was a rarity when it came to planning decisions.

Coun Homer told the panel in Guardsman Tony Downes House, Droylsden: “The main issue for refusal is the loss of employment land.

"I agree with that normally, in the past we’ve opposed these applications. 

“If someone said they wanted to turn this into a factory I probably would’ve been all over it, but no one has. 

“This was last used in 1940. It has been derelict since then and not providing beneficial use to anyone in that area.

"There is no reason to keep it like this in case

“It’s wrong to keep a site like this to be left to rot.

"It’s a waste of space that needs something done with it.”

Despite the support from the local Mossley councillors and a plea from the applicants, the panel decided to refuse the scheme yesterday (Wednesday).

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