Hundreds of new homes have been proposed in developments across Greater Manchester this week, with Bury, Rochdale and Trafford among the areas earmarked for major housing schemes.
In Bury, almost 43 hectares of former green belt land on the edge of Unsworth has been selected for over 400 homes. In Rochdale, a 270-home scheme at Lower Falinge is designed to improve the number of quality social housing near the town centre, although it has triggered backlash locally. In Trafford, new proposals suggest more than 100 homes could be built on the Altrincham Planet Ice site.
Bolton: Tavern On The Hill to be demolished
One of Bolton's most iconic pubs is set to be demolished and replaced with a drive-thru coffee shop and a petrol station. The former Tavern Fayre at Hunger Hill, previously known as The Tavern On The Hill, is at the centre of proposals put forward this week by EG on the Move.
The proposed development would knock down the current pub building and replace it with a petrol filling station and retail shop, eight car-fuelling positions, two dedicated HGV fuelling lanes, four super-rapid electric-vehicle charging bays (Tesla Supercharger), a drive-through coffee shop and associated parking. The Tavern on Wigan Road was refurbished in the mid-1980s and in subsequent years became a 'go-to' destination for revellers from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.
Bury: Over 400 homes on Unsworth fields
More than 400 new homes could be built on fields at the edge of Unsworth, new plans reveal. The huge scheme would cover nearly 43 hectares of land that is currently used for horse grazing, with a total of 403 homes built, including a mix of houses, bungalows and flats.
Developer Wain Homes said the land, off Castle Road, forms part of the Northern Gateway development area which has been allocated for housing and industrial development through the Places for Everyone plan. That allocation has seen swathes of countryside removed from the green belt so it can be built on.
Rochdale: Lower Falinge estate redevelopment
Seven blocks on Rochdale's Lower Falinge estate are set to be demolished to make way for 270 new homes. Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) have officially submitted plans to the council to bulldoze Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, Zedburgh and Vaynor. Once demolished, RBH would start work on building a mixture of homes and flats, all available for social rent.
The majority of the 270 homes would go on the land due to be bulldozed, next to Sheriff Street and Falinge Road to the west. There are plots east of the giant estate, near to Redcross Street, that would also be built on under the proposals. RBH bought up the land to the east in recent years, just next to St Mary's Gate. The proposals, if approved by Rochdale council, also intend to create new landscaping, public open spaces, safer streets, and new walking routes into the town centre.
Salford and Trafford: Demolition and new visions
An application to demolish a vacant business site in Salford could mark the beginning of a major new development in Ordsall. Landowners Tokenhouse Pensions Trust have submitted a prior notification of proposed demolition for Walker House on King William Street. The two-storey redbrick building is near the Anchorage tram stop and a stones' throw from a number of large housing developments such as Clay Salford and the recently completed Eda building. In an application submitted to the council, a representative explained the building is being bulldozed as part of plans to redevelop the land into a large-scale residential project.
In Trafford, new homes should be built on Altrincham's Planet Ice site, town hall bosses have said. Trafford councillors weighed up two competing visions for land off Oakfield Road at its cabinet meeting. The first proposal was for a residential-led scheme, with a council spokeswoman saying more than 100 homes could be built there. Option two would have seen a retail-led approach taken, with this expected to include a large food store or supermarket. The land, near Altrincham Interchange, currently comprises the Planet Ice ice rink and around 320 parking spaces. Development there has stalled since 2007, despite a series of development proposals coming forward, including offices, a hotel, shops, a hospital, a bowling alley and a leisure centre.
Wigan: HMO concerns and RSPCA plans
Housing bosses in Wigan have expressed 'significant concerns' about plans for a 'flexible' HMO and hotel for up to 48 people in Leigh. Oldham-based Spencer Reid Ltd has submitted proposals for three adjacent buildings in Leigh town centre. The application for buildings on Railway Road seeks approval to convert the properties into a mixed hotel and HMO building with 39 bedrooms with a capacity for 48 people. The applicant said the 'mixed use' element of the application would allow hotel stays for tourists and business visitors 'in the usual manner'. A response to the application from the council's housing enabling team has been published by the authority, with the report saying 'we do have significant concerns regarding this HMO'.
The RSPCA has also submitted plans for a new regional animal rehabilitation centre on green belt land next to Pennington Flash. The animal welfare charity said the proposed centre would be built on current agricultural land at Mossley Hall, Byrom Lane, Lowton. Documents in support of the plans said the RSPCA wished to create a complex with a number of buildings, including a veterinary and administrative block, a cattery, a small animals building, kennel block, a ferret block and various storage and operational buildings. The planned centre will provide clinical, behavioural and rehabilitation services, as well as offer community engagement, education and training opportunities.
