HYDE’S former library will be turned into an apartment complex after planning permission was granted.
The fate of the building, on Union Street, has been at the centre of huge local debate as it stands empty after a decade, with claims it has been ‘left to rot.’
Now it will be converted into 102 apartments across three blocks – and keeping its Victorian façade is a priority.
The main building will be turned into a four-storey block containing 53 flats. Two new structures containing 34 and 15 apartments respectively will also be built on the site of what was Tameside College of Technology.
And the people behind the multi-million pound scheme – Hyde Court Ltd, based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire – told Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee why it wants to do it.
“The project has many challenges,” they said. “It needs a significant level of investment as although the building looks all right from the outside, inside is a different story.
“We have bought into the vision to restore the building to its former glory.
“We appreciate this will be a huge project for Hyde town centre and because of its size, should act as a catalyst for further investment into the town centre.”
Financial appraisals say the developer can expect the mixture of properties to bring in just over £17.5 million in sales.
Its actual profit has been estimated at £622,001.59, representing 3.5 per cent, significantly lower than a 20 per cent target identified previously.
The Correspondent entered the 126-year-old building in September 2022 and saw the decay.
Huge holes in the collapsing roof, birds flying around inside the façade, muck and devastation, it was a real scene of carnage.
Pretty much the only thing left standing reasonably intact is the frontage, which will be kept in this scheme.
At the time, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds said: “It’s worse inside than I had anticipated.
“I knew it had been the victim of quite a lot of vandalism but the damage to the roof has really damaged the insides.
“However, this is still a prime site. The challenge for me is I want to see the Victorian features retained. That’s what I want more than anything else.
“People will know the front and the side are the old Victorian parts.
“We’ve got to keep that heritage in the town but there’s lots that can be done with this site, so I want the council to get on with it and do it.”
At the planning hearing on Wednesday, July 23, though, further impacts were detailed, with planning officer Steven Kirkham – who referenced the Hyde Masterplan – stating: “It is, without doubt, a significant building but the site has and still continues to attract anti-social behaviour.
“The theft of lead and slate from the roof, along with vandalism, has resulted in significant water ingress, which has had a significant adverse effect on the building’s structural integrity.
“Access is no longer considered safe. The building is in a precarious position and requires immediate intervention.
“And it is considered the overall social, economic and environmental benefits outweigh the need for an affordable housing contribution in this instance.”
As well as the apartments, 72 parking spaces will be created – 46 of which will sit in an undercroft area.
The conversion of Hyde Library, which opened in 1899, was met with delight by panel member Cllr Jacqueline Owen, who said: “I really welcome this because the building has been a blot on the landscape of Hyde for some time.”
And she was told the façade will remain, where possible.
A condition states: “Prior to the commencement of the restoration of the former Hyde Library building, a full structural survey shall be carried out of the building to identify any temporary support works required to ensure the stability of the structure and protection of historic fabric.”
Mr Kirkham added: “We’ve got explicit conditions that basically cover both the demolition and restoration methodology.
“There will be further investigations needed and there would be judgment to be made for the planning authority.
“But there are conditions that address those points.”
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans.