Unanimous decision to demolish industrial units on brownfield site for housing development in Middleton

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Baytree Lane, Middleton

Approval has been granted to develop a brownfield site on Baytree Lane, Middleton into a residential area of privately rented houses in a unanimous decision at the Planning and Licensing Committee on Tuesday evening (17 January).

The proposals would see ‘simplistic, brick band designed houses’ on the site, to ‘promote a strong frontage and have presence’, the planning officer said. The site is less than 400 metres from Mills Hill railway station.

The planning officer mentioned concerns from a nearby steel company that being in such close proximity would lead to complaints of noise levels.

An acoustic fence and bund will be erected as per conditions to help address background noise levels, including the steel factory and the nearby railway, which have been deemed ‘acceptable’ at this stage, the planning officer added. The bund would be erected prior to the buildings being built.

Another noise survey will be undertaken prior to the tenants living in the privately rented homes.

Councillor Billy Sheerin raised concern over ‘a blind bend’, which the planning officer said was addressed in condition 13 of the agenda.

A representative from Lexus Planning spoke on behalf of the applicant, Countryside Properties. He explained the site forms part of the supply under the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and assured Councillor Allen Brett that work would begin this year to develop the site.

The planning officer added: “If the council officer reaches a different conclusion to the viability appraisal, it would be brought back to the committee.

“If in agreement, it would be granted subject to approval.”

There were no objectors present at the meeting.

A viability appraisal is currently under assessment for the site.