Plans to demolish a former station house in Oldham to make way for new homes have provoked a mixed reaction from residents.

Outline planning permission has been granted to bulldoze what was once the Freizland Station, on Station Lane in Greenfield and replace it with homes.

Some residents have expressed support for the proposals, but fans of the building have been left dismayed by the prospect of it being flattened.

Under the plans, the station house will be replaced by four three-bedroom homes with off-street parking and small gardens.

The station house was first built around 1886 and served passengers using the Micklehurst Loop railway line which closed in 1965, according to a planning statement submitted to Oldham Council by Mark Jones Planning Consultancy.

The statement says the house now suffers from “structural issues” and is in a “poor state of repair” having not been lived in for many years.

The original red brick has been painted and there is “evidence of structural movement”, it continues.

In conclusion, the statement says the replacement housing development will meet housing needs and make Oldham an “address of choice”.

However, people objecting to the development argue the station house is part of Greenfield's history and should be protected.

One of the 10 objectors who commented on the plans, said: “Station house is part of Greenfield's history. It should have had a protection order placed on it as other properties in the area have had to stop developers touching them.

“The four new houses proposed are not within keeping of the area and definitely will not be within the affordable bracket.”

Echoing their comments, another objector called the fact that the former station house is not listed an “egregious omission”.

They added: “Apart from its historical significance as the former Friezland station, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the vicinity, and exactly the kind of larger home which is much sought after and needed in the area.

“It would be a shameful waste of resources to demolish this splendid house and replace it with four cramped dwellings, the style of which is very urban and out of place in the rural setting.”

Another objector said that when passing the former station house on their regular walks over the years they have always thought of the building as “beautiful” and a “rare example” of that style of architecture in the area.

“It's dismaying to think that it has been marked for destruction”, they added.

Concerns have also been raised over the amount of traffic that would be generated in the area by the development and the effect on wildlife and the nearby bridleway that is used by pedestrians and horse riders.

Conversely, supporters say it’s high time for the site to be redeveloped.

One of the six supporters said: “The site is somewhat dilapidated and looks unsound.

“The redevelopment of this site would attract much-needed new families to the area.”

Another said: “It's been sad to see this house end up the way it is but having this plot developed into just four houses seems like a great idea for the area, it could clearly hold far more houses than just the four mentioned."

They added: “It would be great to see more developments like this that are sympathetic to the local area while also bringing back to life unused land.”

Referring to the former station house and the surrounding area as an “eyesore” a third supporter said: “I believe it is time to redevelop the area with reasonable affordable houses.”

To read the full planning application go to the Oldham Council’s website.