MP joins objections against apartments plan in Haughton Green

Denton MP Andrew Gwynne has joined local councillors and residents fighting plans to build 24 apartments on a narrow country lane in Haughton Green.

After months of speculation, a formal planning application to redevelop the derelict former Old Rectory Hotel site has been submitted by Irwell Valley Homes, the not-for-profit housing provider which already owns and manages around 900 homes in the area.

The proposals, in partnership with affordable housing developer Collaborate Living, are for a two-storey apartment block consisting of 13 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom apartments with 29 car parking spaces and a shelter for up to 12 cycles.

The apartments would be let at affordable rent - 80 per cent of the local market rate which would help address a ‘considerable shortage’ of these types of homes in Tameside.

Irwell Valley point to the latest Tameside Council figures for the year to March 2023, which revealed that 68 per cent of households on the housing waiting list needed a one or two-bedroom home.

As a previously developed brownfield site, the land on Meadow Lane can be built on, but is subject to a special agreement - known as the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which Mr Gwynne and the Denton South councillors secured  some years ago to protect the unique heritage and biodiversity of Haughton Dale and Haughton Green village.

The developers say they are ‘passionate’ about preserving the character of the Old Rectory site which includes maintaining existing trees and landscaping, the creation of new habitats and hedgerows increasing the biodiversity of the area by more than 32 per cent, adding new features such as hedgehog highways and bird and bat boxes.

But Mr Gwynne agrees with Cllrs Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton that the scale of the development and the number of apartments needing vehicle access from Meadow Lane would completely overwhelm the main artery through the historic hamlet of Haughton Dale and gateway to the Tame Valley.

The developers pointed out that access would be the same as when the hotel was open and say they found no safety issues in their pre-planning investigations, although these have been among residents’ main concerns.

In a joint statement, the MP and councillors confirmed that they would be opposing the plans: “We have said all along that we will not support any application which is out of step with the hard-fought Supplementary Planning Document. Whilst we would welcome a sensible proposal to redevelop this site, this proposal is far too large and would have a significant impact on traffic and the local environment.”

The strength of feeling became clear several weeks ago in Haughton Green when painted boards began to appear nearby with slogans objecting to Irwell Valley Homes developing the site and one describing the potential traffic issue as ‘Gridlock Green’.

One resident said: “We wouldn’t have a problem with a private developer building four or five family-size houses, bungalows for older people or a care home. It would be a lovely setting for any of those and in keeping with the character of the area. The main issue for us is that it’s not the right place to bring in that number of people in social housing.”

Sasha Deepwell, chief executive at Irwell Valley Homes, said: “Working with Tameside Council we will ensure any new homes go to those most in need. This is a beautiful and important site and we are committed to retaining many of its existing features, whilst giving it a new purpose and lease of life.

“We welcome feedback on how to bring this derelict land back into use to enhance the area for existing and future residents. We thank local people for sharing their views on the plans at the two consultation events held last month and have regularly met with the local councillors and MP to discuss the proposals.”

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