Unanimous approval for £18m Hyde Library transformation

Developer Hyde Court can move forward with its proposals to revitalise the deteriorating site after Tameside councillors voted to give the 102-home scheme the green light. Not so lucky: Bridgewater Land and Development and Jigsaw Homes’ push for 36 affordable flats in Mossley.

Tameside Council’s planning committee met on Wednesday to debate the proposals, two of the largest applications on the agenda for the three-hour meeting. Both decisions were made in line with officer recommendation Here’s more about each of the schemes.

Hyde Library site

• Application reference number: 25/00324/FUL

Under the approved plans, Hyde Court will construct two apartment blocks, while also renovating and extending the historic Hyde Library building, to create 102 homes off Union Street. None of these will be designated as affordable, due to the viability concerns over the cost of fixing the library building.

The building itself, which dates to 1893, was described in a council report as “rapidly deteriorating” and no longer watertight, with multiple roof failures resulting in significant water damage.

Hyde Court would repair the four-storey building, tack on an extension, and convert the entirety into 12 one-bed and 41 two-bed flats, according to designs from 1618 Architects.

A three-storey apartment block would then be built towards the rear of the 1.8-acre site. It would comprise of 13 one-bed and 21 two-bed flats.

The third apartment block would also be three storeys and front Union Street. It would feature seven one-bed, seven two-bed, and one three-bed apartment.

The 102 total flats would range from 540 sq ft to 970 sq ft in size.

Future residents would be able to park in 72 spaces provided on the site, including 46 car parking spaces in an undercroft parking area. There would also be 101 cycle spaces.

The entire project boasts a GDV of £17.m, according to a viability statement by S106 Management. The group estimates that construction will take place over 30 months and cost approximately £15.7m.

Cassidy + Ashton is the planner for the project, with assistance from flood risk and drainage expert Aegaea, noise consultant NoiseAir, geoenvironmental adviser E3P, ecologist Pennine Ecological, transport consultant Eddisons, heritage expert Aurora Heritage Planning, sustainability guru Element Sustainability, and arborist Amenity Tree.

Land off Egmont Street

• Application reference number: 23/00921/FUL

Bridgwater Land and Developments and Jigsaw Homes were unsuccessful in their bid to secure planning permission for a 36-flat project on vacant land off Egmont Street in Mossley.

The development would have seen the building of 36 one-bed apartments for affordable rents. The flats would have been spread out between two separate three-storey blocks. A 36-space car park was also proposed.

What was the main issue with the project? The site itself.

Tameside Council officers had recommended the scheme be rejected based on the fact it sits firmly within the council’s employment area allocation. Industrial buildings nearby would harm the amenity of the project, they stated in their report.

Councillors agreed and subsequently rejected the application.

The project team included planner Iceni Projects and Neil Pike Architects. Also on the team: ArbTech, Tyrer Ecological Consultants, Brindle & Green, Roger Hannah, Energy Counsel, Earth Environmental and GeoTechnical, and SCP Transport Planning.