A NEW three-storey block containing 18 affordable apartments will be built in Stalybridge if planning permission is granted.
Jigsaw Homes has applied to Tameside Council to construct the three-storey block on land at Quarry Steet, close to Trinity Christian school.
And documents supporting the scheme insist the two-person properties – which will be available on a social rent basis – will ‘provide a response to an identified need for affordable housing.’
The site has seen planning permission taking in a larger area granted previously for 10 semi-detached homes.
However, site investigation revealed designs were unviable because of existing mine shafts located there.
But this scheme, described as being of ‘significant architectural quality that respects the local vernacular and takes into consideration the characteristic of the local area’ and which would be built so it is not overlooking the school, has been put forward.
Documents state: “The aim of the proposed development is to redevelop a vacant brownfield site to create good quality affordable homes within Stalybridge.
“The one-bedroomed apartments will provide much needed homes in the local area and complement the current demographics.
“It will seek to not impact negatively on any existing developments by siting the building away from the lower primary school.”
If permission is given, 19 car parking spaces would be put in, all with electric vehicle charging points.
And those wanting it say: “The proposed development has been found to be well located to encourage travel by sustainable modes.
“In particular, the site is within walking distance of surrounding areas which provide access to a range of local facilities.
“Bus and train services are also available within acceptable walk distances of the site.”
To make sure it stands out from the surrounding area, among other measures, gates to secure the access to the rear of the building would be put in, the driveway would be surfaced with materials that clearly distinguish it from the public highway and a CCTV system would monitor activity at the external doors, the lobby and the cycle store.
Ways of restricting the ability for cars to park on the pathways of the site would also be considered.
And Jigsaw, which says Tameside Council’s housing growth team has given its full support, highlighted the need for the apartments.
In a statement, it said: “Tameside Council has confirmed there are currently 128 households with a one-bedroom need in temporary accommodation.
“Of these households, 66 are in “bed and breakfast” accommodation and 34 are in other nightly paid accommodation which is very expensive, so there are 100 households with one-bedroom needs in high-cost placements.
“One-bedroomed accommodation in the private rental sector is becoming increasing more unaffordable, and social housing is the only way said households can be suitably accommodated, with the only other alternative being HMOs, and HMOs aren’t conducive to promoting sustainable communities or a balanced housing offer.
“The proposals have been through the association’s design review process to minimise the risk of anti-social behaviour and other issues through good quality urban design, thus, promoting sustainable communities.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) department will decide whether to grant or refuse planning permission.