Old Denton Baths site will be transformed into new apartments

The old Denton Baths will soon be transformed into brand-new homes.

On a site that many in the area used to flock to with towel-in-arm, people will soon be going with rattling keys to their new homes. The plot of land across the way from Victoria Park has been vacant ever since it was demolished in 2020.

There had been campaigns from local swimming groups in the 2010’s in a bid to save the baths from closure, but they failed to stop it.

Now facilities have moved to Tameside Wellness Centre, just off Ashton Road. The old baths site off Victoria Street is to see new life as an apartment block containing 35 affordable homes, following a planning panel decision on October 16.

Developers Collaborate Living Ltd And Irwell Valley Homes say all the apartments would be available for affordable rent, at up to 80 per cent of market rate, the meeting in Guardsman Tony Downes House heard.

Sitting next to Victoria Park and in close proximity to shops, schools and health centres, it is being touted as an ideal location for new homes, the panel were told. The three-storey building will have 11 apartments on the ground floor and 12 apartments on the two upper floors.

They would be a mix of one and two-bed flats. Ample space for cycle storage and 24 parking spaces are also included in the plans.

The initial plans – a four-storey, 46-home project – were grander in scale. After public consultation and discussion with local MP Andrew Gwynne, the developers made a decision to modify the design in order to appease locals’ concerns.

Planning papers read: “It will regenerate a brownfield site and will offer a choice of new housing in the area and will encourage growth of diversity within the community by providing units of different sizes.

“The proposed development is in a sustainable location adjacent to an established residential community, and with excellent access to public transport and local amenities.

“It will provide high quality housing, will significantly enhance the surrounding area through the introduction of a suitable use on a vacant site and will provide an appropriate mix of dwellings to meet local needs.

“Local community facilities will benefit from this wider choice of housing.”