330 homes planned at site of jam factory
A HUGE new 330-home estate could be built on land where Droylsden’s historic Robertson’s Jam factory once stood.
Housing developer Willsgrove Developments Limited wants to create hundreds of two and fourstorey houses on the industrial land off Manchester Road, which has been empty since 2006.
The manufacturer James Robertson and Sons, which produced curds, preserves and marmalades, had been at Droylsden since 1890 and more than 200 jobs were lost when the site was closed.
The new housing plan has been welcomed by Audenshaw councillor and cabinet member Oliver Ryan, whose ward covers the vacant land.
But he said that councillors need to ensure Tameside doesn’t become a fixture of the Greater Manchester ‘doughnut,’ where it is dominated by homes for commuters who work in the city centre.
“There is a housing shortage and we would always prefer building on brownfield to green belt,” he said.
“But I think there is always that challenge, if you don’t create an economic hub keeping people here in jobs you risk becoming part of Manchester’s ‘doughnut towns.’ We have got a struggle to be able to balance the need for industry and new houses in Tameside. We don’t want to be a satellite town of Manchester.”
As part of the new plans, the industrial site would be transformed to contain a mix of detached, semi-detached and terrace properties as well as a new area of landscaped public space.
A variety of ‘starter and family accommodation’ units would be created, ranging from one to five bedrooms.
In a planning statement the developer explained that although the site had been advertised for a range of different uses, no business had come forward that had been able to take it on.
However they said that healthcare firm Phoenix Manchester Ltd had a ‘potential interest’ in buying the whole plot of land to develop a private hospital, and discussions with them are still ongoing.
The architect behind the scheme, Corstorphine and Wright, said it had been designed to enhance the open land and the Ashton canal-side to create a ‘welldefined distinctive place with a strong identity.
“Public open space and strategic landscaping will also contribute to creating an attractive environment,” they stated.
“The proposals create a layout, density and mix that meets the local need and encourages a sustainable community.”