A FORMER Dukinfield church will be demolished and houses placed on its site of planning permission is granted.
What is known as the Old Hall site of the town’s Congregational Church, on Dewsnap Lane, will be levelled and four, four-bedroomed detached properties constructed in its place.
It is no longer in active use and Ben Lawton, of Warrington-based H and L Investment Group, has applied to Tameside Council to develop the area.
And even though it is on protected green space, documents supporting the scheme state why it should be allowed.
They say: “While the site is designated as Protected Green Space, the development meets the following criteria for acceptable redevelopment.
“Demonstrating No Need for Retention – a supply and demand assessment can demonstrate that the site does not serve an essential function for sport, recreation, or amenity space and is not required to meet local needs.
“Given its previous use as a church rather than a designated public green space or recreational field, the site does not contribute significantly to local sports provision.
“The development aligns with national and local objectives to make efficient use of brownfield sites and prevent unnecessary urban sprawl.
“By providing family housing in a sustainable location, the scheme contributes to housing supply without negatively impacting protected open land corridors or green infrastructure.
“The site contains a mix of mature and semi-mature trees, some of which will require removal to facilitate construction.
“However, the development will incorporate a landscaping scheme with replacement tree planting to mitigate this loss. It will include measures to enhance biodiversity. These will include native planting, bird and bat boxes, and other habitat enhancements.
“While the development does not fully achieve on-site net gain, the proposed approach balances ecological considerations with the project’s constraints, ensuring compliance with biodiversity legislation and contributing to sustainable development goals.
“The design approach prioritises modern living while respecting the character and scale of the surrounding built environment.”
Formerly known as Old Hall Congregational, it merged in 2011 with Dukinfield’s other church of that denomination, Crescent Road.
Its name links to Dukinfield Old Hall Chapel, which is claimed to be the oldest Congregational Church in the country.
However, if permission is given, the current building would be removed.
Documents add: “The proposed development presents a well-considered opportunity to redevelop an underutilised site into a high-quality residential scheme that aligns with local and national planning policies.
“The design prioritises modern living while respecting the character of the surrounding area, incorporating sustainable drainage solutions, biodiversity enhancements, and a robust landscaping strategy to mitigate tree loss.
“Overall, the proposal contributes positively to the local housing provision while maintaining ecological and environmental integrity.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.