Former council offices in Greater Manchester town will be transformed into new apartment block

A former council office block in Middleton will be transformed into an apartment block.

Platinum House was formerly used by the local authority but now operates as a retail warehouse. The proposal to overhaul the building to create a block of 15 apartments has now been approved by the planning committee.

Meeting in Number One Riverside last week, the panel gave the thumbs up to the plan that would see 10 one-bedroom flats, three two-bedroom flats, and two three-bedroom flats built.

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The Sadler Street site will have two of the homes available for affordable rent (up to 80 per cent of market value) and the other 13 will be let out by the landlord.

In order to do this the applicant, Mr Ali Saroya, will add another floor to the three-storey building.

The proposal does not include any off-street parking for the site, which sits in the Middleton Conservation Area. The lack of parking has been the main concern for the 18 objectors, who believe more cars in and around the streets could cause increased traffic congestion.

The council’s highways officers shared the concern of having only on-street parking. However, they suggested the introduction of a residents parking scheme would make this a viable proposal.

The committee approved the plans on November 27. On the same night, councillors also approved a retrospective plan for a house extension on Newhouse Road in Heywood.