ANGER over a chimney that has been placed on top of a former Uppermill toilet block being converted into an eatery is misplaced, developers say.
Saddleworth Independent understands Oldham Council’s planning department is looking at the addition to what will be a ‘small’ restaurant owned by Diggle-based ice cream firm Grandpa Greene’s.
However, those behind the structure, situated in King George V Playing Fields, insist it will look nothing like it does now when it is finished.
For the roof will be a garden roof and what may look like it is sticking out like a sore thumb now will be blended in.
The conversion of the toilet bock, which had been closed since 2018, has already caused controversy in Uppermill.
And Oldham Council’s decision to approve an alcohol licence has not gone down well with those who feel it would only add to anti-social behaviour problems in the village.
Resident Frances Heywood said in an objection to the application: “The cumulative impact of the number of alcohol licences in Uppermill is having a negative effect on residents and visitors.
“The disorder that this has caused is impacting on my sense of safety.
“Uppermill is already saturated with licenced premises and is at the very tipping point such businesses, this application only adds to this problem.”
New borough councillor Helen Bishop added: “There is a distinct safeguarding issue around adults drinking alcohol within a children’s play area. The chances of these interests clashing are high, and alcohol consumption will only fuel any altercations or interactions that might occur.
In a letter from Cllr Max Woodvine, it stated: “We object to this in strong terms.
“The park is for recreation, for use by people of all ages and families. The drinking culture in Uppermill is increasing but should be contained on the High Street and not be allowed to extend into the park and playing fields.
“Ice cream is one thing, alcohol is quite another.”
However, Rick Scholes, of the firm, insisted to the licensing panel: “Alcohol will only be served to diners in the restaurant.
“We will not serve drinks only. We will only serve alcohol with food. We serve alcohol – prosecco – as an option with our afternoon tea. This will be the majority of our alcohol sales.
“Our trained staff wouldn’t allow alcohol to be served to anyone who is already under the influence of alcohol for licensing reasons, but also because having drunk people on site goes against our business model as a family friendly ice cream parlour and café.
“If we were unable to offer a glass of wine or a bottle of beer with lunch it would significantly impact our business as many diners would choose to visit alternative local cafés.
“Our target market is families and this will never change – this doesn’t change the demand for mum and dad to enjoy a beer and some lunch whilst the children enjoy an ice cream/dessert.”
Under the approved terms of the licence, Grandpa Greene’s will serve alcohol from 11am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday at the new venue.
They DO NOT have planning permission for that massive flue, they only have permission for a small flue projecting 0.5metres above roof level. And their “assurances” otherwise are disingenuous. They’re probably laughing at everyone knowing they can get away with this monstrosity in our lovely park.
Why not wait till it is all finished and see what
It looks like then????
Proper local newspapers actually report and investigate local stories, this is no better than idle gossip. You’ve taken the owners words as verbatim and not bothered to investigate the real truth. The old Saddleworth Independent would have studied the planning application and report that they chimney didn’t have permission and that the owners were chancing their arm with a retrospective application, just as they did with the alcohol license that they “forgot” to mention in their initial planning application. If you want to be taken seriously as a source of local news you need to do a more thorough job and not let people spin you a yarn.
Its an outrage! Should seriously be reconsidered
I love the chimney to be honest!
This is simple, should never have been passed. The building is ugly, false ferns make it
blend in, i certainly do not think so, looks awful, tacky and common, looks like a crematorium actually very ugly indeed, no locals will really visit, just people coming in from city towns and leave their litter and fag ends in the park, very sad this tin pot company was allowed this back hand transactions do work this is proof. they pay poor wages and yield high profits , worst thing ever to hit uppermill. DO NOT VISIT POOR NEARBY HOMES THE SMELL AND ADDITIONAL PEOPLE – CLOSE IT DOWN , A VERY TIN POT PLACE, LOOKS COMMON AND OUT OF PLACE. Worst thing ever for Uppermill – i am ashamed to live here awful staffed by kids low wages – lets avoid and visit high street uppermill not these Robbers.
I wonder where people will actually be able to go to the toilet when they have had food and drink in this establishment? No one has mentioned this. I lived in Uppermill for many years and before the then new toilet block was built we had people using our back garden as a public convenience many a time. The old toilet block which was replaced was horrible and had not seen a cleaner in many a year not to mention electric lights or running water. Some of the local pubs allow you to use their toilets but the pubs aren’t open all the time. I have looked at the artist’s impression of what the ex toilet block would look like once converted and there is no sign of a big metal chimney.