Planners have thrown out an application to create seven new apartments above an industrial unit, citing a “very poor standard of living” for future residents.
The proposal to convert the unused office space at Lion Works on Palatine Street in Denton met with opposition from Tameside Council’s (TMBC) planning officers, consultees and residents.
The scheme would have repurposed the offices – above a metal fabricator and a tyre fitting firm, and by a timber yard – into four two-bed and three of one-bedroom flats.
However, a report from TMBC’s planning officers was scathing of the project, saying: “The partial redevelopment of the application building/site, for a non-employment use, would create an undesirable domino effect potentially leading to the loss of further employment premises, which has already been demonstrated by the existing residential development to the north and east of the site, that previously resulted in the loss of employment premises.
“If permission were to be granted, the only employment use left within the allocated employment area would be the ground floor of the application building and the adjoining site to the north.
“This would set a significant unwanted precedent, ultimately resulting in the entire loss of employment land in the future.
“In summary, the application site is allocated as an established employment area and thereby the introduction of residential accommodation in this location is not appropriate.”
The report also highlighted the lack of outside leisure areas for residents, saying: “Further, the development does not include any outdoor amenity space, which given the site lies outside of the town centre and not within walking distance to open green space, does not promote health and well-being.
“Even if outdoor amenity space were to be proposed, it would not be enjoyable or peaceful, owing to the ongoing commercial activities in the immediate area.”
The council received 133 letters of objection to the venture, with many mentioning traffic and safety concerns over the neighbouring Russell Scott Primary School.
