Go-ahead for coroners to be united in new home
THE district coroners services for Rochdale, Bury and Oldham will be brought together under one roof, after a planning application was approved by Rochdale Council.
Following the decision, the coroners courts will now be situated at Newgate House, on Newgate Road in the town centre - and will be home to 40 proposed employees.
The second and third floors of the large office block, which is owned by car care company Tetrosyl, will see a change in use having laid vacant for several years.
Tetrosyl refurbished the first floor but the other two, covering 1737 square metres, will be covered by this decision.
Planning documents by applicant David Rogers, of Formidable Capital Assets, said: “The district coroners services for Rochdale, Bury and Oldham, are currently all operating out of inadequate temporary facilities.
“It is proposed that the facilities for the three local authorities will be brought together in a single location allowing for efficiencies to be made in operation.
“Although several locations have been considered, the central location, availability and accessibility of Newgate house has made it the preferred option.
“It is therefore proposed that floors 2 and 3 are fully refurbished to provide new coroners courts and associated office and administrative facilities.”
The second floor will become three separate coroners courts - a small, medium and main jury one - and will be supplemented by waiting areas and meeting rooms.
“The third floor will now be used by staff and the administration.
The applicant added: “Although Newgate House sits within the Rochdale Centre Conservation Area, the building itself is of limited architectural merit.
“However, it does provide the backdrop to one side of the listed memorial gardens, and is a component of the setting for the town hall.
“The proposals described here will alter the internal layout of the building, and will have no impact on the setting or character of the conservation area.”
Rochdale Borough Council’s planning committee approved the application, subject to conditions recommended by planning officers.