The Concord Suite in Droylsden will be demolished

A crumbling Droylsden landmark will be partially torn down after sitting empty for 11 years.

The Concord Suite has been an iconic building on Droylsden’s skyline since the 1970s. But Tameside council’s planning panel have approved a plan to part-demolish it.

The scheme will demolish the upper parts of the building, including the former function room and dance hall, whilst keeping the lower levels and securing the remaining structure. The idea, tabled by the local authority, is to prepare the building for the planned redevelopment of the landmark into a space for housing, retail and leisure.

The panel hearing, which took place on October 14, was told this action was necessary as the building was ‘riddled with asbestos’ and had gone beyond its ‘life expiry’.

New Era operates Droylsden Shopping Centre, which surrounds the Concord Suite. Speaking on New Era’s behalf, planning agent Bill Davidson called the scheme ‘irrational’ and a ‘backwards step for the town.

He told the panel: “Partial demolition is a complex process that is lengthy. No proposals for redevelopment will leave retailers in limbo.

“Committing the town centre to limbo for some time is a backward step.”

Deputy council leader Andrew McLaren, speaking in support of the application, explained that the traders in the shopping centre will be able to continue operating whilst demolition work is carried out. However, he did admit there would be disruption to businesses.

Cllr McLaren added that the council already spends a lot of money maintaining the deteriorating structure, which will need to have scaffolding on it soon anyway. So he feels the plan to partly demolish and prepare the building for redevelopment is better value for money.

Ben Middleton, assistant director of strategic property at Tameside council, said: “We are doing this now so businesses can trade in the long term. We are taking it down now because we can’t leave it deteriorating. 

“If we spent money to retain it, that would be a waste of public money.”

The panel, sitting in Guardsman Tony Downes House, unanimously approved the scheme.

Approval means the council will start to remove the asbestos and internal wiring before taking apart the structure. The panel was given an estimation of three to six months for the internal works to be completed and then another six months for demolition to be done.

This scheme has been seen by town hall bosses as the latest step in the progression of the Droylsden Masterplan. The council says this project will create new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors while strengthening the town centre for future generations.

Other aspects of the masterplan include a revamp of the public squares; better links between old and new housing developments to the town centre; and a canal park, which would connect the main central hub to Droylsden Marina.