Planning permission granted for former dye works

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

The Tack Lea Works site on Bury & Rochdale Old Road (pictured in 2008 before the building was demolished)

Planning permission has been granted for 32 new homes on green belt land at the former Tack Lea Works on Bury and Rochdale Old Road in Birtle.

Property developer Hall & Co. has hailed its plans for the 19th century dye-works – more recently home to Melba Plastics – as a ‘model for sustainable living’, that ‘takes inspiration from the area’s agricultural past’.

The plans would see 26 houses – ranging from two to five bedrooms – built at the site along with a block of six two-bedroom apartments.

Houses would have two parking spaces each and the apartments one, with a further four bays for visitors.

The scheme had been revised from an earlier version which included a farm shop, while the number of homes were reduced to be ‘more closely aligned to the expectations of the neighbouring residents’.

Objector Alex Richardson highlighted an apparent lack of amenities nearby, such as GP surgeries and shops, adding: “This defies common sense and logic. We have come here to make sure common sense prevails.”

Councillor Burke moved the application for approval but praised objectors for ‘fighting for their community’. 

Before construction can start, the Secretary of State will need to approve proposals as they form part of the Places for Everyone plan, which sets out where 165,000 new homes will be built across Greater Manchester by 2037.

Planning permission was granted by Rochdale Borough Council on Thursday (24 August).

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service