Plans to convert a historic warehouse in Ashton-under-Lyne into more than 40 social housing apartments have been revealed.

A property company has applied to Tameside council to construct 43 flats in the former J T Griffiths & Co Ltd building on Stockport Road.

It had previously been a mattress ticking warehouse and was in use from 1963 until 2013 before the business moved to larger premises in Stockport.

Infinity Property Investing Ltd is proposing to convert it into ‘spacious’ one-bedroom apartments, which would then be leased to charities and social housing providers to offer tenancies.

This could include secure housing for women who are homeless or victims of domestic abuse, or adults with disabilities.

Each apartment would have an open plan kitchen and lounge area with a separate bedroom, bathroom and storage area.

“The social housing model is being placed under mounting pressure across Greater Manchester as the demand for adequate, safe and accessible accommodation increases,” a supporting report submitted with the application states.

“There has already been an overwhelming expression of interest

in leasing this property once developed from housing providers who have earned their reputation in the borough as highly regarded providers of bespoke support to vulnerable adults.

“The development will offer sustainable tenancies in a supportive environment to vulnerable individuals who, without such support, would be unable to maintain their tenancy.”

The development would be managed and maintained by a team of ‘competent professionals’ with a staff concierge office at the entrance of the building.

There would be four off-street parking places for staff vehicles, with on-street parking available around the building, with secure bicycle storage also provided.

Simon Chisholm, chief investment officer of Resonance, said: “With homelessness on the rise the need for safe, decent and affordable housing is great; in Greater Manchester alone over 80,000 people are on social housing waiting lists.”

Infinity Property Investing Ltd says the historic structure has fallen ‘victim to vandalism and dilapidation’ after being effectively abandoned for eight years.

The building is now ‘disused and derelict’ according to the planning documents.

However because of the ‘historical interest’ of the building the developer is proposing to make ‘minimal modifications’ to the facade.

All the original aspects would be restored and retained, with only the shop front windows altered to reflect the first floor.

Two single storey outbuildings which are in a poor condition according to the application would be demolished to make way for the off-street parking.

The applicant is also proposing to install motion sensing LED lighting to illuminate the footpaths and car park in the evenings and at night to enhance security.

“This proposal fully supports a governmental goal of providing quality residential accommodation in highly sustainable locations and demonstrates an efficient new use of a currently vacant disused building in dire need of regeneration,” the supporting document concludes.

There have been no comments made either supporting or objecting to the application.

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