A former Grade Two-listed pub a Tameside community raised £127k to save could be turned into a house, under new plans.

The Godley Hall Inn in Hyde which dates from 1718 was converted to a public house in the late 19th century and is currently standing empty.

The building in Godley Hill was put on the open market around two years ago due to the pub making ‘poor sales’, according to documents submitted to the council.

A report by Candid Architecture states that after being marketed for several months there were no potential buyers willing to continue to run it as a pub.

“Key concerns were its isolated location; poor performance as a public house in recent years; and the poor condition of the building that further demonstrated the poor performance of the public house as it could not generate sufficient income to keep up with the basic maintenance of the property,” it states.

The owner considered selling it as a ‘development opportunity’ for residential use.

However more than 1,500 people had signed a petition to save the pub from redevelopment.

The community then decided to try to purchase the inn to preserve it under the ‘community right to bid’ procedures.

Despite raising £127,301 – described as an ‘admirable effort’ in the planning documents – this was not enough to purchase the pub, which is valued at £270,000.

A heritage statement says that ‘there is still much to be done in order to secure this building’s future’.

The repair work alone was quoted recently at £44,895 for the replacement of just windows and doors, the applicant Bardsley says.

They are now intending to convert the inn into a single domestic home with four bedrooms.

“Converting the property into a single dwelling will allow investment into the property to carry out the work outlined in this application that offers enhancements to this listed building,” the viability report states.

“Also, as a private dwelling it will likely be well maintained as it will be a family’s home.

“In conclusion converting this property into a private dwelling, which it once was, is the only way to restore it to former glories and maintain it for future generations.”

There have been three objections lodged against the plans, which require both planning permission and listed building consent.

Consultation on the proposals will run until November 8, with a decision expected after December.

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