TOWN COUNCILLORS have called on a site earmarked for homes development to be kept as an employment area.
Planning chiefs at Tameside are considering whether to allow an application to build 17 properties at the former gasworks site on Manchester Road in Mossley.
But the local authority directly responsible for the area has come out against the proposal, feeling it should remain as somewhere people can work.
One of the main concerns is that the site is zoned for “employment uses” in documents on Tameside council’s website.
Town Councillor Stephen Homer, who also sits on Tameside Council, said: “We have so many applications for residential, some on land which could be used for industry.
“We need good jobs in Mossley and in Tameside as a whole.
“I have spoken to a business from outside Mossley who are looking to expand and deliver high quality jobs and I have put them in touch with the landowners.
“There is definitely a market for industrial and commercial uses and we should encourage this in any way we can.”
The Correspondent detailed the worries of people that use the caravan parking area previously.
Malcolm Wrigley said: “There are more than 200 people who haven’t the room at home to store caravans or motorhomes.
“If we are given notice to quit, it will cause lots of problems with so many people trying to find somewhere else to store them.”
Mossley Town Council also welcomed the news of two other applications on which they had objected not going ahead.
An application for a car park off Egerton Street was withdrawn, following council and public concern over development proposals in the whole Brookfields area over many months.
The second for a 50ft high 5G phone mast with a base cabinet, plus three other cabinets set at the lower end of the market ground car park, a spot which councillors thought was particularly inappropriate, was rejected.
The decision says: “The proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area nor does it comply with the development plan and therefore does not comprise sustainable development.”
Although some members of the public had recognised the need for such items, the councillors thought the applicant should be looking at a less sensitive site.
Cllr Homer added: “I am keen that we get the best out of developments where we can and I recognise the importance of communications to people – but this was so inappropriate.
“I have had discussions to see if another more suitable site can be found where a community organisation can benefit by income from this.”