Apartments plan for town centre pub ‘blighting the high street’

A vacant pub branded a ‘blight’ on a town centre high street could be transformed into apartments for ‘young professionals and downsizers’.

The Freemasons Arms in Heywood would also house a new commercial unit if proposals tabled by developer The Heaton Group are given the go-ahead by planning chiefs.

The once-popular Market Place watering hole has lain vacant since 2014 and has fallen into disrepair.

But the scheme would see the boarded-up hostelry, which is part two/part three storey, given a new lease of life and converted into six one-bedroom apartments and two studio flats.

The application also seeks permission for the ground floor commercial unit, which will front on to Market Place, to be deployed for a ‘variety of uses’.

This could mean new shops, professional services or offices at the 389 square metre site.

 

 

The proposals have been welcomed by North Heywood ward councillor Liam O’Rourke, who believes it is high time something was done with the pub.

He said: “The actual site has been an unfortunate blight on the high street for many years, so I welcome anything to get that back into use.

“At a time when many people would hope to move and make their lives in Heywood, more housing in an existing unit is very welcome.”

A design and access statement submitted to Rochdale Council in support of the application notes that the pub, whose frontage boasts Tudor-style detailing, has ‘several attractive architectural features’.

But it adds 'the site has been vacant for some considerable time and it is considered an unsightly element within the area, providing potential opportunities for anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. As it stands the application site has very little to contribute to the local area. The former Freemasons Arms Hotel is currently in a poor state of repair and, given the local significance of the building, is in urgent need of redevelopment'.

The conversion would also feature three car parking spaces, a bay for a scooter or motorbike and six cycle spaces.

The Heaton Group has a track record for renovation, having previously restored the historic Grade II listed Victoria Hotel in Wigan.

And a planning statement claims the proposals for The Freemasons Arms would ‘breathe new life into the building’ by making improvements ‘sensitively matched’ to its character.

In conclusion the design and access statement adds ‘by converting the existing building into new, high quality and affordable commercial and residential accommodation, this option will provide a welcome boost to town centre vibrancy, and to footfall – which will accord with the town’s retail agenda’.

A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Rochdale Council in due course.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter