By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
EMPTY retail units in Droylsden will be demolished after planning permission was granted as an early part of a masterplan.
The buildings at Greenside Shopping Centre, from the former site of Coral betting shop to the old Poundstretcher, will be bulldozed in the scheme by owners New-Era Properties.
Other units, from Iceland to B&M Bargains, would be kept and once they have been levelled, a gravel surface will be put down until future redevelopment plans move forward.
And documents supporting the proposal detail how important the area is – and how current market condition make it necessary.
They say: “New-Era Properties and Tameside Council are currently liaising regarding the council’s emerging masterplan to seek alignment with their own regeneration ambitions for their assets, the original shopping Droylsden Shopping Centre and adjacent Greenside Shopping Centre.
“Though there is an ongoing debate regarding the future of the Concord Building and the detail of redevelopment plans, both parties have identified the subject site as a key opportunity for substantial new multi-storey development to introduce new uses to support the viability of remainder of the town centre.
“There is little likelihood of attracting investment by new businesses or retailers when no long-term security of tenure can be offered.
“The void costs associated with the properties (chiefly business rates on empty properties) are now compromising the viability of emerging proposals and must therefore be curtailed at the earliest opportunity.
“It is simple math that if the cost of the site is rising every day, then the pressure to deliver more and more development to achieve viability on the site will increase.
“At present there is one tenant remaining. Their lease has ended and they have advised they do not want to remain in Droylsden.
“Demolition of the subject vacant units is necessary to support the viability and deliverability of the future regeneration of the town.”
The move forms part of New-Era’s vision for the whole shopping complex around the Concord Suite building.
The company bought the shopping centre because they believe Droylsden can become ‘a thriving town and a great place to live and work’.
Their masterplan involves creating residential accommodation within the Concord building itself as well as the redevelopment of the surrounding shopping units.
Speaking previously on New-Era’s overall vision, a spokesperson said: “New-Era believes there is a once in a generation opportunity in Droylsden to deliver transformational change because, uniquely, the majority of the town’s shortcomings (also opportunities) are on or within sites already in the ownership or control of the Tameside council and thus deliverable in the short term not just aspirations for years in the future.
“Unlike the 10-20 year plans that are proposed for Ashton and Hyde, with full engagement from Tameside Council the regeneration of Droylsden is possible in the near term.
“New-Era’s initial vision thus covered not only the jointly controlled shopping centre and Concord site but also the significant development sites at the Marina and the site adjacent the Lazy Toad and proposed where new or improved ‘links’ could ease access to the town from Fairfield, Scott Road and the new housing on the former Robertson’s site (then still being constructed).
“New-Era believes the reintroduction of residential accommodation on to the site will increase the economic viability for new businesses to set up and thrive and have already held discussions with the planning authority regarding the development of a small apartment block to the north of the site near Beehive Mill.”