Committee to make final decision on Jam Factory homes plans

Councillors are to decide whether to allow 338 new homes to be built on the site of the historic Robertson's Jam Factory. 

Tameside's planning committee is this week due to consider a reserved matters application for redevelopment of the iconic site in Droylsden, which has been empty since 2006.

The famous manufacturer James Robertson and Sons produced curds, preserves and marmalades at the Manchester Road site from 1890 until the site was closed with the loss of 200 jobs.

The joint application by Taylor Wimpey and Bellway Homes has been amended since it was submitted earlier in the year to include a further 24 apartments on the eight hectare site.

The 338 proposed homes would be a mix of houses and flats with 40 four-bedroom, 192 three-bedroom and 16 two-bed houses.

The plans for the 338 homes in Droylsden. Photo: Bellway Homes.

There would be 84 two-bedroom and six one-bed flats in the development. 

Of the total development five per cent – 17 homes – would be classed as ‘affordable’.

Planning officers in Tameside are recommending the application for approval, subject to conditions.

They say the extent of the public realm area with the site has also been ‘significantly improved’ through amendments since the application was first submitted. 

The layout of the scheme has provided a buffer zone between the canal which is a designated site of biological importance.

The plans for the 338 homes in Droylsden. Photo: Bellway Homes.

Two letters of objection have been received, compared to 39 letters of support.

The number of homes is fewer than the maximum of 350 which had been approved at the outline stage by the planning committee in December 2018.

Since 2019 the site has been cleared of buildings, aside from an electricity substation, with the remainder of the factory demolished.

“Overall, it is considered that the amended scheme has significantly improved the design quality of the proposed development,” officers state in their report.

“The concerns expressed by officers and local residents in relation to the ‘rat running’ of vehicular traffic through the original proposal were noted and have been improved in the revised scheme.”

Access to the site would be taken from a new road linking with Ashton Hill Lane, and from junctions with Williamson Lane. 

The view looking northwards along the western boundary of the site on Ashton Hill Lane. Photo: Tameside council.

As part of the initial planning approval, the developers must pay £400,000 towards improvements to the surrounding highway network.

They must also make a financial contribution towards a travel card scheme to a maximum of £8,850, and towards Aldwyn Primary School.

And a financial contribution of £592.38 per dwelling will be made towards the improvement, management and maintenance of the communal green space.

Councillors will make a decision on the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, September 23.

Main image:

Plans for 314 homes on the site of the former Robertsons Jam Factory in Droylsden. Photo: Taylor Wimpey/Bellway Homes.