A LARGE Droylsden factory will be demolished and 143 homes built on its site after planning permission was granted.
The development at Seamark, on Edge Lane, has been at the centre of local opposition to the scheme over fears it would create traffic gridlock and overlook neighbouring properties.
Currently, the frozen food company – which borders the Ashton Canal – is at the centre of concerns over noise and odours from people living close to it.
But after the firm, who first applied for permission in 2019 and is moving to a new location in east Manchester, made changes to the scheme, it was given the go ahead at a meeting of Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee on Wednesday, February 14.
Major alterations included ditching the original plan of building 225 apartments and applying for 72 along with 73 houses, 10 per cent of which will be affordable.
Blocks will be a maximum of four storeys high, as opposed to the original six and the inclusion of pocket parks and amenity green space.
The meeting was told by opponents that 10 homes will still be overlooked and they asked for a further reduction of blocks to three storeys, as well as repositioning of some.
Parking concerns were also outlined as 108 spaces would be provided for the apartments and it was stated: “There will be a lot of pavement parking, both on and off the site.
“The situation’s only getting worse because of the high level of house building.”
Other worries included that and the development adjacent to Bradford Garage – Waters Edge, would mean a dramatic impact and population in such a small area.
Findings of a transport assessment were also disputed and the burden it would place on health and education infrastructure.
In a response, Tameside Council’s education department suggested the authority seeks a developer contribution towards Education infrastructure costs of £622,870.25.
A financial contribution of £25,000 to help to fund access, public realm and planting improvements at nearby Copperas Fields would also be sought under a section 106 agreement.
Speaking for the application, Rachel Glover-White told the panel: “We’ve done everything we can to make the application acceptable.
“We consider it to be a high quality and sustainable development.”