Renovation scheme for Lydgate House

Oldham Planning Committee verdicts

A DERELICT Grade II listed building, described as “the most exclusive pigeon loft in Saddleworth” and a former smithy, will be transformed into two homes.

Councillors approved renovation work to Lydgate House which fronts Stockport Road, Lydgate, as well as to the remains of the former smithy building at its rear.

Built between 1789 and 1812, the buildings had be-come dilapidated by 1998.

Both are situated in Green Belt land as well as within the Lydgate Conservation Area.

Objections were raised by Ian Stone who lives directly opposite the building. He said plans for a tarmac driveway leading to the properties from the main road to the buildings was against Green Belt restrictions, and said there were traffic issues on Stockport Road.

Full planning permission was granted as was Listed Building consent.


COUNCILLORS approved detailed plans for the Metrolink platforms at Block Lane and adjacent to Robinson Street and Agness Street, Chadder-ton, despite residents’ concerns.

The northern platform will run parallel to Agness Street and the southern platform to the Hartford Mill site.

Both will include CCTV cameras, shelters, lifts and cycle parking, and will be connected to each other by a footbridge.

Julie Lockwood, from Agness Street, raised residents’ concerns which included parking issues, noise pollution, privacy matters and anti-social behaviour.


PLANS to open a shisha cafe opposite a children’s playground in Ashton Road have been refused.

Ali Akbar applied for the change of use from shop to cafe with external alterations to the building on the corner of Hadfield Street, facing the Honeywell Centre.

He told the planning committee that legislation meant customers could smoke inside the cafe as long as 50 per cent of it was opened up.

Customers would smoke scented and fruit flavoured tobacco under a shelter with a roof but missing one wall, similar to a large smoking shelter.

Mark Birchall, speaking on behalf of residents said they opposed the plans for reasons including late opening hours, parking issues, and smoking fines being issued at similar venues.

The application was refused on the grounds of inappropriate location.


Lift-off for ’copter pad

PLANS for a helicopter pilot to use his main take off and landing pad for daily operations at Diggle farm were approved.

Chris Ruddy had been using the top pad at his home in Oakdene Farm, but will now be able to use his main pad for day to day operations between 8am and 8pm.

The decision will move take-off and landing noise away from his neighbours at Dean Head Farm.

Councillors agreed to allow him to only use the top pad for emergencies during 28 days a year.