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Homes plan for school site

Chris Jones
25/ 9/2008

PLANS have been submitted to build a new housing estate on the former Alkrington Moss Primary School site.

Under the proposals, the existing school building will be demolished to make way for 26 new houses, and a complex of 19-flats with underground parking.

Councillors sitting on Middleton Township Planning Sub-committee were expected to rule over the request by the applicant for outline planning permission as the Guardian went to press last night (Wednesday).

The site, along Arden Avenue, has been empty since the former Alkrington Moss Primary School closed in July 2007 as part of Rochdale Council's project to reduce surplus primary school places in the town and was later auctioned off earlier this year after council chiefs deemed it surplus to requirements.

Planners have recommended councillors back the proposals, from Scott Brown Homes Ltd, subjected to a number of conditions, including precise details on the number of affordable housing that will be built on the site being submitted.

The planning report states: "The development proposed is acceptable in terms of layout, scale, appearance, means of access and landscaping, assuming that all conditions are met.

"The development would not significantly harm the privacy or amenity of neighbouring properties."

Under the plans, 26 semi-detached houses of two and three storeys would be built, along with a block of flats rising to 3.5 storeys in height, with access from Arden Avenue and Mossylea Close.

Local residents have already voiced their opposition to the application, raising concerns over increases in traffic, loss of privacy, over-development of the Alkrington area and the loss of the former school building.

In August councillors backed a planning application to construct eight properties on the site, which are included in the latest proposals.

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