The 19th century site has been earmarked for transformation for yearsHow Tack Lea Works, in Birtle, near Rochdale, could be transformed into new housing.

A historic mill site on the edge of Rochdale could soon be transformed into new homes.

The former Tack Lea Works on Bury and Rochdale Old Road has stood empty for decades, but a plan to convert the site into housing is set to be decided on next week. Hall & Co Developments Limited want to overhaul the 19th century dye-works in Birtle – creating 32 new homes.

Some 26 houses are to be built, ranging from two to five bedrooms, along with a block of six two-bedroom flats.

The firm has hailed its plans for the site – most recently home to Melba Plastics – as a ‘model for sustainable living’, that ‘takes inspiration from the area’s agricultural past’.

How former Tack Lea Works site, in Birtle, Rochdale, could be transformed.

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’.

Objectors have previously raised concerns about building on the greenbelt land, but Hall & Co argued the development would not result in any greater impact than the previous buildings on the site.

The proposal was granted planning permission back in August 2023 – but the developer wants to make changes yet again. Hall & Co have said it is no longer financially viable to make contributions to affordable housing (houses marketed at up to 80 per cent of their total worth).

So the planning committee at Rochdale Council need to decide whether they will approve the proposal without any affordable housing on the site.

A final decision will be made on the plans at the meeting in Number One Riverside, council HQ, on May 29.

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