Tameside and Onward to ink Hattersley land disposal
The council is to transfer the site of the town’s former community centre to the developer for £1, paving the way for a £28m residential scheme.
Tameside Council is to authorise the sale of the land to Onward Homes this week to facilitate a 161-home scheme in Hattersley.
Comprising around 1.5 acres across two sites off Hattersley Road East, the land is valued at £361,000, according to a valuation carried out by Sanderson’s.
As part of the deal, the council has agreed an overage provision of up to £350,000 that will be triggered if certain houses within the scheme are sold, according to a report to Tameside’s executive cabinet.
In addition, the project could earn the authority £172,000 a year in council tax revenue, the report said.
“Members should be satisfied that the proposed recommendation demonstrates value for money for the council,” the report said.
The larger of the two sites to be disposed of sits on the corner of Hattersley Road East and Beaufort Road and was previously occupied by Hattersley Community Centre, which has now been demolished.
Onward, which owns five sites in the area around Hattersley Road East, requires the council-owned land to progress its project.
The development features 91 extra care units within a single building made up of 60 one-bedroom apartments and 31 two-bedroom apartments.
A further 70 houses are proposed on the remainder of the overall site.
The project is being part funded through a £2.8m contribution from the Brownfield Homes Fund and an £8.2m housing subsidy from Homes England.
Sandy Livingstone, executive director of property at Onward Homes, said: “Securing this land brings us one step closer to delivering transformative investment and 161 high quality, green homes in Hattersley.
“Our plans will meet the housing needs of local people at every stage in life, from specialist care to shared ownership and affordable rent. We have worked closely with Tameside Council to secure support from the Brownfield Land Fund and await confirmation of our bid for Homes England Strategic Partnership ahead of a planned start on site this autumn.”
What about leaving some green space for the community and building a community hall and facilities in the middle of the estate, the estate has already been over built.
By Janette Cotton
More houses what about a tip and park for the kids growing up? Whoever is behind this planning doesn’t live in the area
By Taku chiwala
I went to the consultation for this project and was upset by Onwards disregard to what the people were saying on how they wanted the park area off Underwood Rd and Malandra Crescent left for people to use. They just kept going on about the residential houses and opportunities for first-time buyers. Making it perfectly clear that this project was just a money grab for them. They were clearly not caring what the residents want, as well as not looking after the current occupants of their existing properties. No one objected to the proposed site where the flats, shops and community centre were. We were told that the Baptists church wanted their land to be used for development to help cover costs. So again those areas were all accepted. But the old playground and park area were not at all accepted as a good development site. We all know that in theory it’s a brownfield site as this is the site of the old club. But it’s an area enjoyed by families, youth groups and children although the summer and on good days in the winter. The slop leading down to where onwards old offices is often used to sledge on when it snows.
It looks bare now the trees have been torn down. And will look worse when it’s a building site and the area around it will lose so much light.
Hattersley has always been overlooked, the residents needs are never taken to heart. We wanted our green spaces left so there was still breathing space between roads and houses. But instead the council are just selling it all for a quick buck…saying they have no choice as they have been forced into this by the government.
When in reality Tameside don’t care, they just want the money it’s the same with the Godley Green Village proposal for which thousands of people have objected to yet all voices are ignored.
The green spaces of this district are important, they are important to the wildlife, to the environment and to the mental well being of the local residents.
By Ben Cambridge