A former Victorian warehouse in a conservation area within Ashton-under-Lyne is to be converted into apartments.

Real Estate Aventor Ltd had applied to turn a building on 4-10 Church Street into a residential development.

The former warehouse was built in the mid 1800s but is currently standing empty.

Under the new plans it will be transformed into 30 one and two bedroom flats.

These would be split between 13 one-bed, 12 two-bed and five studio apartments.

The developer had originally applied for 31 flats, but this was reduced by one to include a parking area of six spaces, a dedicated bin store and a secure internal bike storage area.

Planning officer Steven Kirkham said: “The site consists of a terrace of buildings built from the mid-19th century which range from two, to three storeys in height.

“Residential development can make a significant contribution to the vitality of a town centre by increasing footfall and local spend.”

He told councillors that re-purposing the building for homes would add to the ‘growing residential offer’ with Ashton town centre.

“The overall scale of the works are considered modest and acceptable from a heritage perspective,” Mr Kirkham added.

“The development fully accords with the council’s spatial strategy and long term aspirations of increasing the town centre population.

“The proposals represent a highly sustainable re-use of a prominent brownfield site which currently detracts from the character of the conservation area through its associated vacancy.

“This would complement directly to the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.”

Councillor Doreen Dickinson queried whether there was any outside space or balconies being provided for residents so they could get ‘fresh air’.

Mr Kirkham said that while no outdoor space was included in the plans, the apartments had ‘good levels of light and outlook’.

He said that there would be ‘robust’ bin storage, as they were conscious of being in a conservation area.

However Coun Dickinson added: “I’m not sure that means a lot to people who want to root through bins.”

Mr Kirkham clarified that the bin storage area would be locked. 

The application was approved unanimously by councillors.

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