Affordable homes row over mill plan
DEVELOPERS behind a huge mill conversion have been criticised for providing no affordable housing despite asking for permission to put more homes into the building.
Stockport council’s planning committee has given the green light to DeTrafford Estates to create 213 apartments at anti-social behaviour hotspot Elisabeth Mill, in Reddish.
The company already had permission for 201 but upon beginning work last year realised more could be fitted in. Builders also found the dilapidated building was in a worse state than anticipated, with rotten floors and greater remediation and restoration work required.
And its subsequent planing application again argued that should any of the additional homes be affordable housing, the whole scheme would be unviable.
Committee members passed the application at a meeting on Thursday, but some expressed their ‘frustration and disappointment.’
Councillor Wendy Meikle said: “Of 213 apartments we haven’t got any affordable ones, I am really, really disappointed, even with the extra apartments.”
And councillor Brian Bagnall added: “I don’t understand the maths - that the original scheme is not viable unless there’s no affordable housing. Now we have granted that we are adding another 12 and not one of them is affordable. It is not unreasonable to express frustration.”
The traditional section 106 agreement, which sees developers hand over money for community facilities in return for planning permission, has also been waived.
But planning officers say that a report into the scheme makes it clear it would be unviable with any affordable housing.
And De Trafford has engaged well with the council, as well as the ReDish charity it has promised to support as part of planning permission, they added.
Other members of the committee argued in favour of the development, which would have 163 homes in the refurbished mill and another 50 in its grounds.
The Grade II listed building has stood derelict for 15 to 20 years, attracting vandals, rough sleepers and even free runners.
Councillor John Taylor said: “This mill has been troubled by a consistent magnetism for anti-social behaviour, which has tied up the police and the fire service night after night after night.
“We will provide a lot of housing for which there is a need, in doing so we will eliminate a whole lot of social problems.”
Councillor Andy Sorton added: “These mills are notoriously difficult (to renovate) and no one will touch them. They are so complex.
“Do we leave it derelict? If we don’t develop these brownfield sites the green belt is going to be threatened.”
The scheme should be finished next year.
Gary Jackson of DeTrafford said: “‘We’re delighted to have received planning for the additional 11 apartments and Townhouse.
“With our primary focus to ensure the Mill building is restored to its full potential, this approval presents the opportunity to provide even more high quality homes, helping to reinstate and establish a thriving community.
“With the construction process progressing well, we look forward to presenting our new residents with the first phase of homes in early 2019.”