A HISTORIC Hyde pub a local community tried to save will be converted into a house after planning permission was granted.
The battle to save Godley Hall Inn saw a six-figure sum pledged by people willing to buy shares.
But the Grade II listed structure will now be turned into a four-bedroomed home after Tameside Council granted Dominic Bardsley permission.
Now according to a notice from Tameside Council’s director of place Ian Saxon, work must start by the end of 2024.
And on no account can part of the building be occupied until details of hard and soft landscape works, including boundary treatments, have been submitted and approved.
This includes the size, species and spacing of planting, what areas will be grassed and what materials to be used on the hard surfaced areas.
No part can be occupied until details of secured cycle storage provision is approved and an application to have a public right of way through the site has been received by the council.
In detailing the reasons for approving both the initial application and listed building consent, Mr Saxon says: “The Local Planning Authority worked positively and proactively with the applicant to identify various solutions during the application process to ensure that the proposal comprised sustainable development and would improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area and would accord with the development plan.
“These were incorporated into the scheme and/or have been secured by planning condition.”
A report, which stated Godley Hall Inn was initially marketed as a pub, said work on it would actually bolster the current structure.
It says: “We would also suggest the £127,301 would not cover the extent of the repair work that the property requires.
“The applicant recently received a quote of £44,895.00 for the replacement of the windows and doors, which is only a small fraction of the repair works.
“During negotiations for a sale, the community were made aware and decided they wished to attempt to purchase the property via the Community Right to Bid.
“As such the applicant withdrew interest to allow the community to attempt to raise the required capital.
“The local community withdrew their bid and the previous owners once again approached the applicant who agreed to purchase the property with a view to converting the Inn into a single dwelling as is proposed under this application.
“It’s considered as a building at risk and would get worse if it continued as a public house and does not receive the financial capital required to repair it, as demonstrated by the condition of the pub at time of sale.
“There is not sufficient desire or demand to retain this property as a public house.”
As well as the conversion, a new drive with parking area and separate bin store will also be created while internally, what was the bar area will become a kitchen with the existing pub kitchen to become a bedroom.
Godley Hall Inn landlord and landlady Alan and Sue Hanson were told they had 12 weeks to leave after 18 years’ service as the pub was put up for sale.
Owners Mike Radcliffe and Shaun Donohoe made the decision to sell because the pub was not making enough money.