Britannia New Mill, the abandoned former industrial complex on Queen Street in Mossley, will be demolished and replaced with 49 new affordable homes. The site, which was last in use in 2022, will be transformed by developers Holmpatrick Ltd into a four-storey apartment block with 32 flats and 17 semi-detached, terraced and townhouses.
Affordable Housing and Riverside Walkway
All the new homes will be available at affordable rates, up to 80 per cent of market value. Tameside council’s planning panel was told that a new riverside walkway will also be created within the ‘buffer zone’ between the site and the River Tame.
The proposal includes 50 car parking spaces, with 14 for the apartment block, 30 allocated for the houses and six visitor spaces. The site will be managed by housing provider Onward Homes.
Strong Support and Financial Contributions
At the meeting held at Droylsden’s Guardsman Tony Downes House, there was strong support for the scheme among the panel of councillors. Coun Doreen Dickinson said it ‘ticks all the boxes’.
The developer’s planning agent, Philip Millson, was asked by Coun Jake Frater why financial contributions towards local green space and road infrastructure were reduced to £49,000. Millson explained that a viability study showed that, because this is a 100 per cent affordable home development, no financial contributions would have been required by the council.
Millson added: “In reality we could argue that we didn’t have to make any financial contribution. The developer has provided this as a gesture of goodwill.” The financial contributions will go towards improving pedestrian access to Queen Street and local biodiversity, the meeting was told.
Plans Unanimously Approved
Planning papers read: “The proposed redevelopment comprises the construction of 49 new homes including access improvements, car parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure following demolition of the existing buildings on site.” The papers also described the proposal as “a housing policy compliant high-quality form of development within Mossley” in a “highly accessible urban location with easy access to public transport, shops, services, and amenities.”
The plans were unanimously approved by the council’s planning panel on September 9. Britannia New Mill should not be confused with Britannia Mill, its neighbour fronting Manchester Road, which has been earmarked for redevelopment by the Millson Group. In 2021, Tameside council approved plans to knock down Britannia Mill, built in 1851, and construct 62 new apartments.
