'Eyesore' former care home to become apartments

An 'eyesore' former care home in Stalybridge which dates from the Victoria era is to be converted into apartments.

Tameside’s planning committee has given the green light to proposals for the former Carson House Care Centre on Stamford Street to be used for residential accommodation.

The three storey building, which sits within the Stalybridge conservation area, is currently vacant and has been so for around two years.

It will now be transformed into 33 one-bedroom apartments by the applicant, Cassell and Fletcher Property Management Ltd.

Planning officer David Thompson told councillors there would be ‘positive benefits’ from the redevelopment of the ex-care home.

“It’s in a prominent location on Stamford Street and it is a vacant building,” he said.

“It is showing signs of its vacant nature in terms of boarded up windows and just generally it’s a bit of an eyesore in terms of its condition.

“There’s services and facilities and employment opportunities within the town centre so it’s considered to be a sustainable location for residential development.

“The reuse of the building will have a positive impact in terms of bringing it back into viable reuse. ”

There had been one objector to the conversion proposals who raised concerns about the nature of the accommodation being one-bed units, rather than larger flats.

However Mr Thompson said: “Yes it is a relatively dense form of development but it would result in comprehensive reuse of the site and each of the one-bedroom units would at least meet, and in some cases substantially exceed the national space standards.”

As part of a Section 106 agreement with the applicant, 15pc of the development would have to be delivered as affordable homes.

There would also be a financial contribution to off-site open space improvements at Stamford Park totalling £16,278.

This cash would be used to upgrade the infrastructure such as footpaths and the formal entrances into the park.

According to the officers report, the empty nature of the building is having a ‘detrimental impact’ on the character of the area, with the former care home showing ‘signs of decay’.

It is also considered that reusing the property for residential purposes would increase the footfall into the town centre.

According to the design and access statement, the building – which was built in the ‘neo Gothic style’ was originally designed as a Sunday and Day School.

The date plaque on the south eastern gable of the building confirms it was originally built in 1871, but later rebuilt and enlarged in 1882.

Officers say that the original section of the building displays ‘significant architectural detail in the ecclesiastical style windows’, the proportions of which emphasise the ‘striking impact’ of the building on the street scene.

Councillor Doreen Dickinson, who represents Stalybridge South, asked whether there was a possibility the name of the building once converted into flats could be changed to St George’s.

“It was St George’s school and everybody knows it as that, and Carson House doesn’t quite gel if you know what I mean,” she said.

Officers replied they could have informal discussions with the applicant about her suggestion.

The main access to the site is from the corner of Stamford Street and Blandford Street.

A total of 20 car parking spaces, including three dedicated disabled spaces will be provided on the site as well as 33 secure cycle spaces.

And a total of 12 roof lights will be created in the roof of the annexe to the property.

Councillors at the meeting approved the plans unanimously.

Images of Carson House: Credit to Cassell and Fletcher Property Management Ltd.