New homes to be built on former car park

A plan to build new homes on the site of a former car park has been given the green light.

A total of 13 new homes are to be built on the ‘L’-shaped plot close to the junction of Gregge Street and Victoria Street in Heywood.

The scheme – opposite Biwater House – will boast a mix of terraced and semi-detached houses, including six three-bedroom properties, the same number of four bed homes and a single two-bed house.

Each property will have two car-parking spaces – the maximum Rochdale council allows.

In response to public objections, officers said there was no evidence the scheme would add to parking problems in the area or result in a rise in crime and disorder.

They also said that existing homes on Manchester Road would not be overlooked from the rear of new ones facing on to Gregge Street, due to the distance between them.

The news that Bamford-based Hoyle Developments has been granted permission for the scheme has been welcomed by North Heywood ward councillor Liam O’Rourke.

He said: “It gives people in Heywood somewhere to live and gives them a chance to stay in the town – especially with some of the positives coming forward, like the new link road [which will connect Junction 19 of the M62 to the industrial parks off Pilsworth Road].

“Heywood is a growing town and that will mean we can maintain a strong voice as a result.”

And while not providing a huge number of new homes, the project will see another brownfield site brought into use – at a time when protecting the green belt is high on many people’s agendas.

It’s a point not lost on Councillor O’Rourke, who is aware the region’s 20-year development blueprint – the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework – remains a source of controversy.

“Brownfield sites are top priority at the moment during the whole spatial framework discussion which is still ongoing.

“Residents say time and again they want brownfield sites to be used and this is another example of that happening.”

The North Heywood ward councillor believes there are further advantages to the site.

“In terms of location is a good place for people to move in the town,” he said. “It’s right near the motorway and will give them a chance to bring up their families and work, overall it’s a good story, I’m pleased about it.”

He also welcomed the type of housing on offer: “I definitely welcome family homes – obviously we need a mix of housing but, certainly at the moment, the thing I hear is that people want family homes to make their first move on to the property ladder.

“While I would be interested to see how much they end up going for in the end, I would hope it gives people the chance to get on the property ladder in their hometown.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter