Plans for a new apartment block that would bring dozens of ‘high quality’ homes to a picturesque Pennines town have been revealed. The proposals, lodged by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, would see a four-storey building replace an old mill and industrial units at Brown Street, Littleborough.
Based within 'easy walking distance' of the town centre, the new block would boast 40 one and two-bedroom homes for ‘affordable’ rent. Residents would be served by 40 parking spaces - including two disabled bays - while access for vehicles and pedestrians would be from Brown Street.
Planning papers say the aim of the development is to provide ‘high quality living space within the Littleborough community in an accessible location’. The document adds: “The land and properties served by Brown Street and the surrounding highways are primarily residential and are relatively narrow.
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“The site is more suited to housing than employment uses. There is a large area of employment uses immediately to the west of the site and others are available within Littleborough town centre." It goes on to say that the site is ‘ideally located’ for public transport and its proximity to the town centre would mean future occupants would be less reliant on travelling by car.
The document also claims the development would not have an ‘adverse’ visual impact or result in a lack of privacy for neighbouring residents.“The removal of the commercial/warehouse/storage traffic will reduce highways conflict and improve overall safety,” it adds.
The ‘contemporary design’ of the proposed building is said to be inspired by the original 19th century mill building, which is now partly demolished and clad in metal on the Brown Street side. While the architectural value of the old building is deemed to be ‘low’ there is some interest in its historic significance.
Anecdotal information suggests there was once a cinema in the building but no hard evidence supporting this has been found. A heritage assessment found that demolition was ‘acceptable’ but recommends that a formal record of the building is made.
In conclusion, papers say that the new homes will 'add to the society and economy of Littleborough town centre', while 'the removal of heavy industrial traffic from its narrow streets will improve the amenity of the area'. Rochdale council will decide whether to grant planning permission.
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