Former church site to be turned into homes

Planners have given their blessing for the site of a former church to become homes.

Zest Eco applied to Rochdale Council to build seven new houses on land at Egerton Street — the former New Jerusalem Church — in Middleton, which was founded before 1886 and was demolished by 2012.

In planning documents, Zest said: “The proposal delivers seven three-bedroom family dwellings, each with private gardens and dedicated parking.

“This form of development responds directly to the identified need for family housing rather than higher-density flat accommodation.

“Full planning permission is sought for the erection of seven 2.5-storey three-bedroom townhouses with rear dormers, solar panels, associated parking, private gardens, landscaping and vehicular access via a new dropped kerb from Egerton Street.

“The proposal regenerates a vacant brownfield site to deliver family housing within an established residential neighbourhood, respecting local character, safeguarding neighbouring amenity and providing safe and efficient access arrangements.”

There were five objections to the plans, including a loss of on-street parking for existing residents, overdevelopment of the site and the loss of green space.

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A planning officer noted: “The character and appearance of the surrounding area is predominantly residential with terraced dwellings dominating the street scenes.

“The application site is currently an unoccupied brownfield site in a deteriorated state, detracting from the character of the immediately surrounding residential area.

“The proposed development will inevitably create active frontages along the surrounding street network, improving sense of safety for pedestrians due to natural surveillance and the proposal will appropriately increase the density of the immediate area.

“The dwellings themselves and the layout of the development has changed since initial conception of the scheme at pre-application stage.

“Now, the proposed development positively complements the existing character of the area through its design and appearance.

“The proposed elevation materials would ensure the development fits in with the character of the existing area and the height and massing of the dwellings is appropriate to its location.

“The development is not significantly taller or inappropriately bulkier than any of the adjacent or surrounding dwellings.

“Overall, the proposed development creates a visually attractive, distinctive and characterful development which established and creates a strong sense of place and pride through the introduction of a high quality development comprising the use of a coherent palette of materials and key design features.”

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