Plans submitted to transform derelict Hyde Library into flats

The historic site has fallen victim to major vandalism, with lead stripped from the roof and even fires started inside.

Sliding into continued disrepair, it has become a major eyesore, boarded up and unsafe for years.

The iconic site was built in 1899 but has stood empty since 2015 when the town’s library service was moved to the town hall.

But now plans have been submitted to Tameside Council to transform the site into apartments, while retaining the Victorian facade.

The redevelopment of the site, including the adjacent car park, proposes to transform the area into residential accommodation to provide 102 apartments in total - being a mixture of one, two and three bedroom dwellings.

Plans show the original building, once Tameside College of Technology, would gain a new rear extension for residential accommodation, external amenity space and undercroft parking. 

Two further separate residential blocks would be built as part of the proposals, one at the rear of the site and another along Union Street on the existing car park.

A Heritage Impact Statement suggests the majority of the original building would be retained in the new redevelopment plan.

The report notes that the Hyde Town Centre Masterplan identifies the site as having potential for residential development, which is in line with regeneration objectives for increasing the residential population of the town centre.

Tameside Council had hoped to convert the building into flats post Covid, but the council-owned site was later put back on the open market.

The plans have been submitted by Hyde Court Ltd, based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee will consider the plans.

You can read more about the plans on the council's website https://publicaccess.tameside.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SUFUZUPUGJK00&activeTab=summary  

What the building could look like if planning permission is granted. Credit: Tameside Council