By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A FORMER Ashton-under-Lyne bar could come back to life after plans to convert its upper two floors were approved.
CDG Developments Ltd, based in the town and headed by Richard Gibson, has been given the go ahead to turn the first and second floors of what was Chambers, on Old Street, into four apartments – three two-bedroomed and one one-bedroomed.
And it is hoped the ground floor will be opened as a bar/restaurant – under the same name – once again.
Documents supporting the work on the structure, built in 1860 and historically known as Ye Olde Vaults, tell how it could help rejuvenate the town.
They state: “The building has been vacant for several years. It has been in an untidy state for a while and detrimental to the amenity of the area due to its boarded-up windows, peeling paintwork and the vegetation growing out of some of the elevations.
“The applicants are proposing to invest significant resources into this development project, which will bring about economic, social and environmental benefits to Tameside.
“The proposal will enable a longstanding, untidy, empty mixed commercial and residential building in the town centre to be brought back into full use.
“The applicants propose to re-open the ground floor of the building as a public house /restaurant (same as the existing authorised use), and the internal space will be refurbished and modernised as part of the overall building refurbishment to make it lettable by prospective commercial tenants.
“The proposed development will provide economic, social and environmental benefits and constitutes sustainable development.
“The proposal will help to support the council’s and the Government’s objectives of regenerating and improving Ashton town centre to ensure its long-term viability and vitality.”
The entrance to the upper floors will be via a passage beside the building. A staircase will lead to two apartments on the first floor, each with two bedrooms.
Another two would be built on the second floor.
In approving the apartments application, Tameside Council planning officers believe it can help Ashton’s regeneration.
They said: “The proposed first and second floor uses will provide activity within the building and the proposed residential use will contribute to footfall on surroundings streets.
“This may indirectly benefit existing shops and other businesses in the town centre.”