Planning application to change shop at Assheton Arms Hotel to laundrette

A planning application has been submitted to change a shop on the ground floor of the Assheton Arms Hotel in Middleton to a laundrette.

Situated on Market Place, the Assheton Arms Hotel was constructed before the First World War.

The design and access statement says the proposal is ‘the most appropriate solution to improve the facilities available to the business in the area’. The layout would not change.

Customer access would be situated at the front from Long Street.

Three objections have been logged to date.

Howard Boden said: “Any change to this building and the adjoining Edgar Wood building would cause significant damage to the town’s conservation area and golden cluster. The group of buildings form a unique frontage onto Market Place and Long Street, a fine example of townscape.

"The significant amount of money and investment not only by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Middleton Township and the Heritage Lottery would be in vain; these buildings are important to the town and this is simply a step too far.”

Jackie Ashworth commented: “This is a historical building in the centre of town and should not be changed in this way.”

Martin Coven said: “There is little parking in this location. Some of the patrons of the hotel have been using the pavement as a car park. To add another business to this building would increase the parking demand significantly and would not only cause obstructions on the pavement, but potentially obstruct passing traffic and block pedestrians’ views when crossing Long Street and Cemetery Street, leading to potential accidents.”

The application was validated on 9 June and awaits a decision.