DENTON will move above Stalybridge in the ranking order of Tameside’s town centres, if a new framework is adopted.
And almost 10,000 new homes, at least 17,000 square metres of office space and not far off 300,000 square metres of industrial and warehousing space would be created.
Two new railway stations, a replacement of one and major upgrades to another two also feature in the Homes, Spaces, Places document, a local plan adding to Places for Everyone.
More sites for ‘gypsies, travellers and travelling showpersons’ would also be created in the scheme outlining the borough’s future.
The wide-ranging 95-page document will be discussed at an extraordinary meeting of Tameside Councils’ place and external relations scrutiny panel on Tuesday, April 22.
It will do many things, including setting a long-term vision for the borough up to 2042 and identifying visions and policies relevant to the different neighbourhoods and town centres.
In that comes Denton’s upgrade from a town centre to a district centre, putting there and Hyde below Ashton-under-Lyne, which will be Tameside’s main area.
The document states: “The council proposes to maintain and enhance the role of Ashton-under-Lyne as the borough’s main town centre, Denton and Hyde as town centres, Stalybridge, Droylsden and Hattersley as district centres and Mossley as a local centre.
“These centres will be protected and strengthened, supporting thriving communities relative to their size and role. They will be the main locations for investment with an emphasis on making them safe, inclusive and welcoming places.
“Whilst maintaining Ashton-under-Lyne as the borough’s principal centre, evidence presented in the 2018 Tameside Retail and Leisure Study (TRLS) recommends adjustments to the network and hierarchy of centres.
“The proposed hierarchy recognises the growth and changing roles of centres such as Denton, now with a wider sphere of influence reflecting the wide range of comparison shops on offer at Crown Point Shopping Park and the growth in convenience goods function of Hyde town centre, which now has a range of supermarkets serving local needs.
“The district centres of Stalybridge, Droylsden and the emerging district centre at Hattersley have a more limited retail offer, serving immediate residential catchments and are therefore considered to be district centres.
“However, Droylsden’s unique advantage is its close proximity to Manchester and excellent accessibility with Metrolink and high-frequency bus routes. Allied to this. Droylsden has notable opportunities for new development of residential and mixed-use developments on key sites within the town and at the marina.
“Hattersley’s emerging district centre is currently led by Tesco and the Hattersley Hub with the former district centre having been redeveloped for housing.
“Mossley is defined as a local centre, known locally as top Mossley, which is compact, walkable and offers a good range of shops with many independent outlets.”
Homes, Spaces, Places delves deeply into the issues in Tameside – from its town centres to the population’s health, heritage, green spaces and employment.
Development-wise, it predicts an extra 9,700 additional properties, at least 17,055 square metres of office floorspace and at least 277,930 square metres of new industrial and warehousing floorspace.
It also foresees at least three additional pitches for gypsy and traveller accommodation and at least one additional plot for ‘travelling showpersons.’
New rules surrounding new hot food takeaways and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are also proposed.
For the former, they would be permitted where they do not result in more than two consecutive units in such use and do not result in an over concentration of such uses in certain locations.
New ones would also not be allowed within 400 metres of a secondary school, college or place that young people congregate, which would be open during their operational hours.
Future HMOs will need, among other things, to implement a management plan, ensure habitable rooms have access to natural light that is not solely reliant on roof lights or light wells and ensure there is adequate car parking provision.
They also could not result in three or more adjacent properties being HMOs or form more than 10 per cent of properties in a 50-metre radius.
Homes, Spaces, Places also reveals Tameside Council my even facilitate the provision of new train stations, improved facilities at existing ones and additional car parking, including small scale park and ride where appropriate.
Proposed sites for new ones are Droylsden/Ashton Moss West, east of Littlemoss road bridge and west of the M60, and Dukinfield/Dewsnap.
It will also push for continued improvements and enhancements at and around Stalybridge and Ashton, the proposed new Mossley station and an enhancement at Hattersley, including a new access bridge from Godley Green Garden Village.
One of the key policies put forward is the ability for Tameside’s communities to prepare their own neighbourhood plans.
And a vision for what the area would look like in 2042, based on six pillars, is also spelled out.
The document states: “Homes: A place where people are proud to live, with a range of attractive and affordable homes that meet local needs.
“Jobs: A place with a strong local economy where businesses choose to remain, invest and grow, and where residents can learn and earn.
“Centres: A place with a range of strong, vibrant and diverse centres which serve their local communities and where people want to spend time.
“Places: A place where our cultural and built heritage are cherished, and where good design creates sustainable, safe, inclusive and accessible places.
“Environment: A greener place with a thriving natural environment and clean air, where communities and infrastructure are sustainable and climate resilient.
“People: A place where children are given the best start in life, are able to exceed expectations and where everyone is able to live a healthy, happy and active life within thriving supportive communities, supported by the services they need.”
The document is now out for public consultation until June 2 and Cllr Andrew McLaren, Tameside Council’s deputy leader who is responsible for growth, housing and homelessness said: “The views of everyone across the borough are crucial to help shape the plan and Tameside’s future.
“We’ve listened to your concerns from the scoping consultation and that’s why this plan contains a number of policies relevant to the feedback so far by including specific standards for new green spaces, controlling the number of hot food takeaways and ensuring safeguards in relation to new HMOs.
“We want to prioritise the things that are important to everyone whether it’s sustainable development, protecting green spaces, supporting brownfield redevelopment, or connecting community facilities and conserving our heritage assets.
“While doing this we also need to balance the need for growth, affordable homes, continued job creation with support for local businesses, town centres and better public transport for thriving communities.”
PEOPLE can complete the feedback form at www.tameside.gov.uk/homesspacesplaces. Written copies are also available at Tameside Libraries.