These images show how an historic former mill site could be transformed into new homes. Proposals to build 32 new houses and apartments at Tack Lea Works, in Birtle, near Rochdale, have been lodged by property developer Hall & Co.
The firm 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 scheme has been revised from an earlier version and no longer includes a farm shop, while the number of homes has been reduced so it is ‘more closely aligned to the expectations of the neighbouring residents’.
While located In the green belt, the applicant argues the development would not result in any greater impact than the previous buildings on the site. Permission to develop the site for a 14-home scheme was also granted back in 2019 and remains in place as a 'fall back option'.
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Jamie Hall, director at Hall & Co, said: “Our plans for Tack Lea Works would deliver 32 high quality new homes in a highly sustainable setting, each thoughtfully designed to reflect Birtle’s agricultural past and to create a thriving new community built on shared values.
“We’re pleased to be able to reveal our plans for the site and look forward to progressing this exciting new development, transforming a well-located, underused site and returning it to positive use.”
The latest plans would see 26 houses - ranging from two to five bedrooms - built at the site, off Bury and Rochdale Old Road, 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 applicant says the scheme has been ‘designed to nurture the creation of a close community, including a mix of stone cottages and mill houses, ‘reflecting local character with red brick and stone walls and slate roofs’. According to the firm the cottages will offer a contemporary version of the traditional style, while the mill buildings will feature vertically proportioned windows and gabled frontages.
Homes would be ‘super-insulated’ and the scheme promises to ‘reduce energy consumption and water usage’, incorporating rain water harvesting and at least one renewable energy source.The development would also include a woodland walk for the new community to enjoy and ‘plentiful outdoor recreational space’.
Rochdale council will decide whether to grant planning permission.
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