The former Two Trees High School site in Haughton Green is set to become houses after the council announced their intention to develop the space.

The school, which was closed in 2010 with pupils joining those from Egerton Park at the new Denton Community College, began demolition earlier this year after councillors heard how it was costing £100,000 a year to keep the site secure.

Denton South’s three councillors: Cllr George Newton, Cllr Claire Reid and Cllr Jack Naylor, have all reacted with disappointment that the land looks set to be used for housing.

“We have always known the council has wanted to develop the site since the closure of Two Trees School over a decade ago” the three said in a statement on their Facebook page.

“Andrew (Gwynne, MP), Claire, Jack and George are still saddened by this news.”

The trio say that they would like to see the site preserved for education or sport.

While no plans have yet been unveiled, the council intend to develop the entire site, including adjacent land on Mill Lane to create a link road.

The three councillors said: “We know from speaking to residents that access to council services and new homes is of major concern, however this does not negate the issues we believe this development could cause. 

“We know local residents will be both saddened by this news and have many questions - we do too. To that end, we will be sending a detailed letter to officers on Monday outlying our disappointment, detailing our concerns and putting forward questions that we as a community need answers to.”

They’re now urging all residents to submit their comments and questions to them to include them in any correspondence with the council. You can do so online at www.TeamDentonSouth.co.uk/TwoTrees.

They added: “The four of us all live locally and have all sat in the traffic on Two Trees Lane at 8am. We know how much residents in Denton value green space, and we know just how much a new school on this site would transform our community.”

There has been a huge backlash online to the plans, with many commenting on the already large traffic issues at rush hour and the difficulty in accessing key services in the area.

In 2016, Denton MP Andrew Gwynne raised the issues of the former Two Trees site in Parliament, asking the Secretary of State for Education a number of questions including would the loss of playing fields be taken into consideration and if the site would be released for development.

In the same year, Tameside Council unveiled plans for the site, showing the possibility for up to 220 houses, with the only access to the site being via Two Trees Lane. Those plans were withdrawn and are unrelated to the latest development.

The Reporter approached Tameside Council about the plans.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The former Two Trees School site was declared surplus to need by the Executive Cabinet. Prior to taking the site to the market, the Council are now considering the potential release of an additional area of land as part of an ongoing asset review which could potentially be incorporated into any future development opportunity. 

"The sale of the land and building will help generate vital funding -  which has always been something our residents have suggested as part of our budget conversations - and  would also help deliver much needed housing in the borough.

“Our officers will continue to ensure that the community is aware of any progress being made in relation to the potential sale and development of land in the area.”

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