A FORMER Greenfield social club is set to be demolished and replaced by four homes after planning permission was granted.
The building associated with Greenfield Mill, known as Robert Fletcher’s Paper Mill, has stood empty for more than a decade.
Now after Oldham Council gave York-based Purico Properties the go ahead, it will be knocked down and the five-bedroomed properties put in its place.
Planning permission was granted in 2018 for a similar development, but the COVID-19 outbreak meant it was shelved and the approval expired.
But in a report, planning officer Graham Dickman detailed why it should happen, despite the site lying in the green belt.
He said: “The proposed buildings would occupy a lesser footprint than the existing structure.
“They will however be notably taller. In that respect the development could visually result in a greater impact on openness.
“In this case, such impact is significantly reduced once the wooded character of the adjacent land and the topography of the site’s surroundings are taken into consideration.
“Views towards the buildings from the west, south, and east are significantly restricted by the adjacent woodland.
“To the north, the land levels rise substantially, ensuring the increased height of the new buildings is not prominent on the landscape.
“In this context, there is a strong argument for conclusion that the development would not result in substantial harm to the openness of the green belt, and therefore, it could be regarded as appropriate development in the green belt.
“It is considered that the proposal would constitute appropriate development. This approach reflects that taken in granted approval for a similar development previously.
“It is also considered that the development would not result in harm to amenity or highway safety issues.”
When finished, the homes would each be two-storey, with additional accommodation in the roof space, including a small dormer window at the front.
Each would have a driveway that can fit two vehicles along with a detached garage, plus back gardens.
The private road leading to the site will see a one-way system introduced, with vehicles approaching from the west and leaving back to the main private access road to the east.
Permission was granted subject to conditions to deal with ecological issues in relation to protected species and the control of invasive plant species.
That includes no work being allowed between March 1 and August 31 in any year unless a detailed bird nest survey has been carried out and written confirmation provided that no active ones are present, with Oldham Council agreeing.
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