Plans to build a 'cotton mill' style block of affordable flats in Ashton have been given the green light.

Tameside’s planning committee has given permission for 24 apartments to be constructed on land at Vernon Street in Hurst Knoll.

The block would be a ‘modern’ three storey building with a design which ‘references the mills of Ashton’.

All the dwellings would be one bedroom properties, and all would be for affordable rent managed by Jigsaw Homes.

Funding for the development, which has been applied for by Watson Homes Ltd, is being supported by Homes England.

There would be 19 parking spaces with four electric charging points at the front of the apartments which would be accessed from Vernon Street.

There had been four letters of objection from residents raising concern about loss of privacy, traffic and a lack of parking.

However planning officers said: “The development would add to and contribute towards much needed, good quality affordable housing in a period of documented under supply.

“It is considered that the development would deliver an attractive residential environment which would complement the existing area.”

The location. Photo: Watson Homes Ltd.

A bowling club had been built on the site in the early 20th century but this has since been demolished.

Previous plans by a different developer for 24 two-bedroom apartments for private rent on the site were approved by the council’s planning committee in 2018, but this permission had now expired.

Officers said that ‘it remains that the site is in a derelict state which continues to attract antisocial behaviour’.

“Since the demolition of the club, the site has continued to fall into a state of disrepair and neglect,” they add.

“This is a blight on the local landscape and will be reflecting negatively on residents which immediately border the site.

“There would be direct amenity benefits attributed to the investment and redevelopment of the site.”

Watson Homes Ltd stated the flats would be heated through ‘low carbon technologies’ including air source heat pumps located within the apartments.

According to the terms of approval the development must begin within three years.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper