The former British Legion Club in Swinton could be demolished to make way for new apartments. The social club on Cheetham Road closed down last year after struggling financially.
The vacant two-storey building may now be flattened to allow construction of an apartment block containing 15 flats, if councillors approve the plans next week.
Proposed Development Details
The planning application, submitted by Mr Naveed Ashraf, shows an L-shaped three-storey block following the junction with Douglas Street. It would contain four one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and three three-bedroom homes.
Designs by Tang and Associates Architecture 'take inspiration from the former public house' and include storage space for 16 bikes and a shared green space.
Local Opposition and Officer Recommendation
Around 25 residents have opposed the plans over parking issues in the area and the lack of parking planned for the 'car-free' development. They also felt the three-storey building is 'out of character' with the surrounding area and that the site should be kept as a community asset.
However, the council's highways officers found the demand for parking spaces would be 'less than if it had remained a social club'. The application has therefore been recommended for approval.
An officer wrote: "The proposal would redevelop a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location to deliver 15 new homes and make efficient use of land, with the loss of the former community facility considered acceptable given the availability of alternative local provision and the lack of viability of the former use.
"The site is highly accessible by sustainable transport modes and, despite being a car-free development, evidence demonstrates that it would not have a severe impact on parking, highway safety or the operation of the local highway network.
"Overall, the benefits of the development are not substantially outweighed by the adverse impact."
The plans will be discussed by councillors at a planning committee next Thursday (November 19).
