PLANS to redevelop a historic Greenfield mill site into housing for over-55s have been redrawn, with fewer properties.
Tanner Bros Ltd’s hybrid application to convert Waterside into apartments and properties will be heard by Oldham Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, October 21.
However, the number of homes put forward has reduced from 29 to 26 after what are described as ‘extensive discussions’ with officers, mainly relating to an area that lies in the green belt.
And any mention of commercial development has been removed.
59 apartments would be placed in the mill building, which will have the fourth floor destroyed by fire in 1966 reinstated.
A revised planning statement also details: “While the basic concept of the residential scheme remains the same, a number of minor changes to the layout have been made, mainly to vehicular and pedestrian circulation, car parking and means of access.
“The number of new houses has been reduced from 29 to 26. This is due to the removal of a small part of the scheme that was within the Green Belt. None of the proposed development is now within the Green Belt.”
It also tells how access to the site will be gained using the same method as the development at neighbouring Fletcher’s Mill.
A new road will be put in place, with access to it from the current junction of Holmfirth Road and Chew Valley Road and over the existing bridge.
A new footbridge will be introduced over Chew Brook next to it.
Documents add: “A scheme for improvements to this junction together with the roundabout at the Manchester Road, Holmfirth Road, Chew Valley Road junction has been prepared jointly by Flecther’s Mill highway consultants and the applicants’ highway consultants in conjunction with the council’s highway officer.”
Saddleworth Independent told how hose behind the project at Greenfield’s Waterside – known as Tanner Business Centre – believe ‘new residents will add to the economic and social life of the village and the wider Saddleworth area.’
Paperwork continues: “Sadly, the buildings have now come to the end of their economic life and extensive viability studies show that the current business can no longer be sustained in its current form.
“It has been decided therefore to submit a planning application to change the use of the site to a mixture of homes for the over 55 age group and commercial development.
“We are proposing to convert the original mill building into high specification apartments with the addition of the fourth floor which was destroyed by fire in 1966, along with new houses built on the remaining area of the current site with a variety of complementary commercial properties.
“The site will include attractive landscaping, plentiful parking and featured recreational space. Whilst respecting the Heritage of this site, in line with guidelines within the ‘Oldham Mill Strategy’ report.
“We are endeavouring to provide Waterside Mills and its surrounding brownfield land with a new lease of life and securing the surrounding Green Belt land to remain undeveloped.”
Existing cottages at Waterside will be retained and refurbished if permission is given.
Waterside Mill was built by the Buckley family in 1838 and started life as a cotton mule spinning manufacturer
It was acquired by Tanner Brothers in 1919 and initially produced heavy cotton fabrics.
At its height, the company employed approximately 850 people across four factories, specialising in tyre fabrics for the fast-growing motor industry.
They continued to supply major tyre companies, including Goodyear, Firestone and Pirelli. It was only into the late 1990s that the company finally ceased manufacture and restyled itself as a local business centre.
Planning officers have recommended the panel grants permission, subject to conditions.
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