Hyde Library will be transformed into aprtment complex

The former home of Hyde Library will be transformed into a huge apartment complex.

The Victorian building off Union Street, which opened in 1899, will be converted into 102 apartments across three blocks. Under plans tabled by developers, Hyde Court Ltd, the iconic building will be turned into a four-storey apartment block – containing 53 flats.

Two new blocks containing 34 and 15 apartments respectively will also be built on either side of the existing library building.

The multi-million pound scheme would provide a mix of one, two and three bedroom homes with 72 car parking spaces in total.

The building last served as a library for the town in 2015, when services were moved to Hyde Town Hall. Since then the interior of the building has fallen to rack and ruin due to vandalism, according to the developer. 

At the latest meeting of Tameside Council’s planning panel, the applicant explained that significant investment is needed to breathe life back into the dilapidated building. The building was also ravaged by a fire in 2022 after vandals broke into the building illegally.

The proposal was wholeheartedly welcomed by the planning panel, who convened at Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden on July 23.

Coun Jacqueline Owen said: “I really welcome this because the building has been a blot on the landscape of Hyde for some time.”

She went on to share concerns about whether the historic façade would be retained. In the planning papers, the developers explained how they intend to keep the historic look of the building’s exterior.

The meeting heard how these plans coming forward are ‘an important milestone in Hyde’s future regeneration’. The scheme forms part of the Hyde Masterplan, which sets out how the town will be regenerated over the next decade.

Council papers read: “The council has recently approved a masterplan and vision for the town centre in Hyde where ‘high quality sustainable town centre homes, independent retail and great transport links will allow Hyde to flourish and find its own unique identity within the context of Greater Manchester and the North West’. 

“New homes are at the heart of the town centre masterplan with clear objectives included in the plan to ensure that new well designed and high-quality homes will support and help to build sustainable communities and neighbourhoods within the town centre. 

“The masterplan identifies a number of development opportunities for new residential development including the former Hyde Library site that will contribute towards growth targets for delivering new homes.”