Police station expansion can benefit town

A REVISED plan to redevelop a town’s ‘brutalist’ eyesore can bring benefits to the centre of Stalybridge.

And all 24 apartments placed at the former police station, which is a shell, will be affordable and supported housing.

Watson Construction, working with Great Places, will raze the current structure to the ground and build a new structure in its place if plans are given the go ahead.

It would end a 17-year conundrum over what to the with the building that has become a target for vandals as it decayed.

And those behind the scheme argue: “The proposals would provide a new building in place of the existing derelict building and would bring people to live in the town centre, thus contributing to the economic sustainability of Stalybridge.”

Under the plans, a four-storey structure will be constructed, with one of them below ground level, meaning the current structure would increase be one.

And Great Places have clear aims for who will be living in them – with current or former members of the armed services given priority if they want to become shared owners.

Documents state: “Rent levels for the rent units will be set at up to 80 per cent of market rent, but no higher than local housing allowance.

“Lettings will be through a bespoke arrangement with Tameside formalised by a policy agreed between the council and the Great Places Housing Association.

“In line with Homes England’s requirements, nationally or locally defined prioritisation criteria will not apply to the shared ownership units other than a prioritisation for current and former members of the British Armed Forces.

“Eligible purchasers will have a household income less than £80,000 per annum and will not own another property.”

Stalybridge police station was built in 1968 and remained in use until 2005, since when it has been vacant.

But it is described as being, ‘in very poor condition, having been vacant for more than 16 years and has been vandalised.’

The Correspondent reported how work to clear the site had begun then stopped while new plans were being drawn up.

And Watson Construction said: “Initial strip out work has begun and the ultimate intention is to demolish the building to ground level, then rebuild on the existing foundations.

“This approach will ensure that the site can be redeveloped. Otherwise the cost of forming new foundations close to the river retaining wall would be too prohibitive.

“These will be managed as supported living dwellings with associated office and support space being provided at semi-basement level.

“The development will be served by 13 parking spaces and external amenity areas overlooking the river.”

Documents also add: “This part of the setting is considered to make an overall positive contribution to the significance of the listed buildings.

“A new glazed entrance will be set at street level and there will be more windows than in the existing building, providing a more active street frontage.

“The proposed development will not change the general character of the area but will bring people to live in the town centre.

“The development is considered to be economically viable.”

Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Planning) committee will decde whether to grantb or refuse planning permission.

But Michael Coogan, Housing Growth Manager at the authority, has indicated he would be in favour.

In a letter, he said: “Providing the flats remain as affordable housing in perpetuity there are no additional affordable housing requirements, Housing Growth is supportive of the proposed development to provide supporting housing required and tackle a problem building.”