A new development of up to 285 homes could be built on the former Hartford Mill site in Oldham after the last remaining piece of the 116-year-old structure was demolished last year.
The cotton mill on Edward Street in Werneth opened in 1907 and was operational until the 1950s when the retailer, Littlewoods, took over until 1991.
The mill was left vacant for more than 30 years and residents reported the site had become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and criminal activity including fly-tipping.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts
A lengthy demolition process then started in 2020 though stalled in the pandemic until October 1 last year when the last remaining piece, the Hartford Mill chimney, came tumbling down in a controlled explosion.
Since then, the brownfield bulldozed site went up for sale, initially for £12 million before increasing to £14m, with plans to develop the area into a mix of residential homes and commercial properties.
Now, a planning application submitted by Serviam Planning outlines transforming the 3.50-hectare site into a development with 285 properties, made up of 93 houses and 192 apartments, and a 1,625 square metre retail and community space.
The application proposes building 180 flats/maisonettes, comprised of 77 one-bedroom and 103 two-bedroom flats, while 88 homes would be made up of 71 three-bedroom homes and 17 four or more bedroom homes.
A further 17 have been earmarked for affordable home ownership, including five three-bedroom homes and 12 two-bedroom flats.
All of the homes would have cycle parking in a bid to reduce reliance on cars though car parking is also included in the plans.
Also included in the plans are ground floor retail units, a community centre and a 'public realm' space.
A blueprint drawing of the site shows the apartments would be accessible through a boulevard-style walkway with the location of the flats nearer to a Metrolink stop to "promote public transport" and "minimise unnecessary traffic" through the residential area.
There is also scope for a large parking area for occupants of the apartments off Edward Street.
A transport assessment by Eddisons found the suggested layout promoted active travel and "non-car trip making" for pedestrians and cyclists with additional pedestrian access proposed to the public spaces and a restriction on non-residential cars through the site.
Eddisons said the development "seeks to enhance the local residential environment and also promote sustainable trip making".
An ecological assessment by Arbtech Consulting Limited said the site is predominately made up of "bare ground" with "small patches of modified grassland" and some semi-mature planted trees but warned of an "extensive patch of Japanese knotweed" on the eastern boundary.
Arbtech said the proposed development would "result in the loss of all the habitats present at the site" and a "net loss in biodiversity".
To mitigate this, it proposed incorporating native trees, shrubs and rich grasslands.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here