A new apartment block could be built next to an historic former pub in Rochdale.
Plans have been submitted for a three storey-building neighbouring the George and Dragon Hotel, in Castleton.
The proposed quarter-acre site is on the corner of Manchester Road and Trub Road - opposite the OMC Ford car showroom.
The site is mainly grass and also contains one tree that would need to be felled.
An application submitted by Northwest HA Projects Ltd says the building would be divided up into five one-bedroom and 10-two bedroom homes.
The block would be mainly constructed from red brick, in keeping with many of the properties in the surrounding area.
A document submitted with the planning application states: “This gives the area a feeling of a traditional northern suburban landscape and characterises the area as part of a working town.”
It adds that the design will help the building ‘feel like part of the area’ while also boasting ‘more modern architectural features’.
The document also says the scale of the apartments would ‘compliment’ the surrounding buildings, most of which are no higher than three-storeys.
The flats would be managed by Arcon Housing Association available for ‘affordable’ rent to all future tenants.
These would be served by eight car parking spaces, 17 cycle spaces and a disabled bay.
While the immediate surroundings feature a mix of housing and commercial properties, the plot sits within the Castleton (South) Conservation area.
The adjacent George and Dragon Hotel - vacant since 2005 - was built in 1897 and designed by the renowned Middleton architect Edgar Wood.
The wider conservation area also includes the Grade II-listed St Martin's Church, Linden Mill and the old Carnegie library.
A heritage assessment submitted with the application says these are 'highly significant in terms of their evidential and historical local nature’.
It adds: “This significance will not be jeopardised by the proposed residential scheme, and overall, the setting of the asset will be enhanced by the contemporary reference to the mill buildings located within the conservation area.”
A planning document also point out the council has identified Castleton as needing new housing as part of the ‘essential regeneration’ of its centre.
“In particular Trub has been identified as an area for mixed use development,” it adds, noting that ‘emphasis has been put on the delivery of a mix of housing choices."
A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Rochdale council.
