A derelict Chinese restaurant in Wigan is set to be demolished to make way for a new affordable apartment block for people with disabilities and extra care needs.
The former site of Shanghai Palace in Poolstock will be destroyed and replaced with 24 apartments and six bungalows, the council’s Planning Committee has decided.
The site, just outside Wigan town centre, will provide accommodation for people with assessed social care needs, such as disabilities, autism and mental health problems.
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But the plans have caused controversy among some local residents who say the new apartments would be 'horrendous.' They cited extra noise and lack of natural light as a major issue.
Wigan's Planning Committee rejected the complaints, and said the new plans 'create a much more pleasant street scene' in place of the dilapidated former restaurant.
The new building will provide 24, one-bed apartments, plus separate lounge and office areas for support staff. The accommodation, which will have 19 car parking spaces, will include 100 per cent affordable housing.
At a meeting on June 13 at Wigan Town Hall, the Planning Committee heard concerns from objectors who claimed this development put forward by Homelife Holdings Limited could cause traffic congestion, overlook nearby homes and increase noise and disturbance during construction.
Linda Higham, speaking against the application in the council chamber, said: "If this application goes through it is going to be horrendous for us as it is literally at the bottom of my back garden. We are a quiet residential area of two storey buildings in James Grove.
"We feel this is not in keeping with the area. The noise that is going to come from this as well as the building taking the natural light, it is going to be horrendous. I don’t think anyone here would want that three storey building at the bottom of their back garden."
The argument put forward by the objector, who was one of 16 people against the accommodation block, was rejected by the planning officer present. The new site being more than 17 metres away from the nearest property meant that this complied with planning regulations, the committee heard.
Coun John Harding said: "I am looking at this and there are a few things not mentioned which are positive. The fact it is 100 per cent affordable housing is really positive.
"I think this creates a much more pleasant street scene than the derelict Shanghai Palace which was there. The important thing is that the application does follow the legal requirements.
"I do have sympathy for the objectors but we have to make our decision based on the framework otherwise we’re not doing our jobs as a committee."
Plans to build affordable homes in the borough were wholly welcomed by the majority of the committee. Coun Fred Walker said: "It seems like a lot more than five years that it has been empty. It's a real eyesore.
"Although people never want change, and no one ever does, this is exactly like that. This isn’t a negative, it is a plus, it is adding value to that neighbourhood. I wholeheartedly support this."
Due to the accommodation block replacing an old restaurant and bowling green, Wigan Council demanded that the developer gives £61,000 in Section 106 contributions.
This money would cover footpath improvements and landscaping works at Wigan Flashes, new play and sport improvements at Alexandra Park and Laithwaite Park in Newtown as well as bowling green improvements in the local area.
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