Plans to convert a former Conservative Club into a sweets workshop producing ‘artisanal English confectionery’ have been thrown out by Bury Council.
The proposals, for the ground floor of the former Salisbury Conservative Club, Badger Street, Bury, said that up to ten full-time jobs would be created after a change of use from social club to sweets manufacturing.
Applicant Asim Farooq said he would like to ‘make this property into our workshop, cottage industry manufacturing unit’.
However, the council turned down the change fo use because of ‘sub-standard access and parking arrangements onto Peter Street’ and that it ‘does not provide suitable accommodation or vehicles to enter and leave the site in a forward gear’.
An officer’s report also said the plans ‘contain insufficient information with regard to the treating, diluting and dispersing of fumes and odours’
A supporting planning statement for the plans, said: “We propose to use this building for the production of classic artisan English confectionery used to retail in our own shops around Lancashire, including Bury Market and supply to distributors locally.
“Most of the confectionery is handmade using traditional time honoured methods going back centuries.
“The confections are cooked in copper pans on open fires. There is also some light machinery used.
“Another positive aspect to this proposed development is we intend to create approximately ten full time employment opportunities for the local community.
The vacant Salisbury Club, around 150 metres from Bury town centre, was once a popular venue and function room but it closed ahead of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
