Work starts on 67 homes in Tameside

Work has begun on an £8m development to build 67 homes in Stalybridge, Tameside, on the site of the former Millpond pub and Casablanca health club.

Contractors Rowlinson are on site at Armentieres Square to demolish the Millpond pub which closed in 2014. The health club was destroyed by a fire in 2005. The demolition is the final phase of preparation works before the main construction starts.

The 76,000 sq ft site will include apartments available for market rent and five commercial units. The development will also feature 62 self-contained parking spaces along with bicycle storage.

The scheme is the largest private rented development to be built by New Charter Homes, in partnership with Rowlinson Construction and architects Pozzoni. It is expected to be completed by winter 2018.

John Ardern, homes director, New Charter said: “We‘re working closely with local stakeholders and Stalybridge Town Team to communicate with residents and businesses during the work and help minimise disruption.”

Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge & Hyde commented: “For far too long this site was an eyesore in the heart of Stalybridge. Now it will provide high quality retail space to attract more shoppers to town and much needed housing. It will be a landmark building and a real chance to regenerate Stalybridge. I can’t wait to see it take shape.”

David Roberts, managing director, Rowlinson added: “We recognise that there is a huge demand for this type of high-quality market rented housing in Stalybridge and I am confident that with the partnership we have formed to deliver this exciting project, it will be a great success.”

Planning approval for the project was granted in late 2015.