Application to change Smithy Bridge Pub to children’s day nursery submitted

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

The former Smithy Bridge Pub

An application to transform the former Smithy Bridge Pub into a children’s nursery has been submitted to Rochdale Borough Council by Bob Greatbanks.

This comes just four months after a planning application was submitted to change the former pub to a Co-op store. The outcome of this is currently unknown.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107992/application-to-change-former-smithy-bridge-pub-into-a-coop-store

The design and access statement claims the development aims to retain the existing building as much as possible.

Proposals include:

• Steel frame single storey rear extension to provide covered external play area/amenity area which can be enclosed using roller shutters allowing external facility to be retained in the external position ready for use the next day.
• New windows at Ground Floor level facing Bridgenorth Drive .
• New door opening providing external access from the internal corridor, to be used as a fire escape.
• Elements of refurbishment to the external façade may have to be undertaken and new window frames/glazing. 

The internal layout of the building is to be modified with minimal effect to the external facade of the building. The existing building appearance is maintained and the proposed window openings in the walls are to match existing. Internal boxed external roller shutters are proposed to the new single storey extension providing covered external amenity.

The car park to the front with 10 spaces is to be retained and any existing landscaping be retained, tidied and enhanced. The car park to the rear is to be enclosed using Paladine fencing to provide a secure external play area, any surface amendments to this existing car park are to be confirmed band can be dealt with under a planning condition. Existing signage will be retained and refaced.

The proposal includes a new secure refuse and recycling area to the side of the property, away the car park and entrance and away from the rear external and covered play area.

Pedestrian and vehicular access are from Bridgenorth Drive into the car park and the main entrance.

Due to the proximity of the site to neighbouring dwellings and the residential area, the site has excellent pedestrian access due to sitting on a main bus route and being within walking distance of Smithy Bridge railway station.

Opening times are proposed to be week days between 7.30am-6.30pm.

The traditionally built two-storey building on Smithy Bridge Road, at the junction of Bridgenorth Drive, has a site area of approximately 0.12 hectares with a ground floor footprint of 316m2 (3,400 square feet).

The premises was licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 until 1 April 2016 when Enterprise Inns Plc surrendered its licence.