New lease of life for Honiton shops

A joint planning application by Peak Valley Housing Association and Rowlinson Construction for new shops and apartments on Honiton Road, Hattersley, has been submitted to Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

Phil Corris managing director of Peak Valley Housing Association said: “The ‘Honiton shops’ are currently in a poor state of repair and with only two retail units out of the current seven open for business – are something of a blight on the area.”

The £4.7 million project has been supported by £2.5 million funding from the Homes & Communities Agency and will see the development of 33 two-bedroom apartments built on the site of the current retail units. New retail units will be developed adjacent to the new properties.

Rowlinson Construction has purchased the existing retail units and will be building the new apartments which will be designed by John McCall architects and rented by Peak Valley to the over 55s market.

Corris added: “The proposal has the support of the local community especially those people living close to the area, who recognise that this joint scheme will be a massive improvement to the area – as well as providing good local facilities.

“In addition, the new apartments will provide much needed accommodation for the over 55s market which has been identified as being in high demand in this area.”

If the planning application is successful the joint partners anticipate starting work on the new retail units in the autumn with businesses opening in spring 2011. Once the new retail units are built, the old ones can be demolished and work should start on the new residential element of the scheme by March 2011.