A PLANNING application for the construction of four new detached houses in Mossley, adjacent to an abandoned nursing home, has been submitted to Tameside Council.
The former Jonathan Grange Nursing Home on Micklehurst Road closed its doors permanently in January 2014 and has since sat vacant and decaying.
The applicant S Eckstein is also believed to own the land currently occupied by the derelict building, though the application makes no mention of any plans to demolish the crumbling care home.At the time of writing, a decision was still pending with regards to the development despite the determination deadline having already passed on September 22.
The principal planning officer overseeing this application said: “This application relates to land adjacent to the existing building, which will not be directly affected by these proposals.
“The current application remains pending as a number of issues have arisen during the consultation period with technical consultees.
“These are primarily focused on the impact on highway safety, trees and surface water drainage. We are in the process of working through those with the applicant.
“I would envisage being able to make a recommendation on the application soon but that is dependent on the outcome of further consultation with the relevant experts.”
Proposals for the new three-storey properties were first put forward in July and have also met with a significant number of objections from locals at the public consultation.
Following a Freedom of Information request, the Tameside Correspondent has learned some of the more pressing concerns put forward, particularly the lack of clarity on the plans themselves.
One local resident said: “One big objection is the lack of indication of site access. Marle Rise as an access road is a no go. The estate is a quiet cul-de-sac, and we don’t want it open to through traffic.”
Another declared: “I am in favour of this if it means the Jonathan Grange building is to be demolished. This derelict building is an eyesore and attracts all sorts of anti-social behaviour.”
Mossley Town Council has also waded in voicing strong objections to the development based on the absence of more detailed information to support the application.
It said: “This application was considered at the meeting of the Town Council on September 2.
“We expressed the view that the absence of information to support the application, namely details of the proposed access arrangements, has made it difficult for us to comment in a constructive manner.
“We request that any updated information from either TMBC or the applicant is made available for
consideration by the Town Council and other consultees prior to the application being determined.”
It is unclear yet as to when a decision can be expected on this application, however its current status can be viewed on the planning portal online at tameside.gov.uk
If Earnshaw Clough is anything to go by, the fact Marie Rise is a quiet cul-de-sac will count for nothing. At Earnshaw Clough the council approved access using the road, causing chaos and misery for residents!