Old Bury sawmill building to be razed for ‘gated community’ of new homes

A former timber yard and sawmill building could be demolished to make way for a gated community of five homes close to the centre of Ramsbottom.

A planning application has been lodged to clear the site, off Spring Street, behind The Major pub.

Applicant Bernard Booth intends to use the land used as a timber yard and joiners’ workshop to build the three-bed family homes with access from the unsurfaced Caltha Street, behind the pub.

A design and access statement published this week by Bury Council, said: “Used until around September 2011 as a timber yard and joiners’ workshop

producing items such as shop fronts and window frames.

“Following the shut down of the business, the buildings have been left empty and falling into disrepair and have temporarily been used for storage of building materials.

“The existing stone building at the site entrance has suffered severe fire damage in the past, and has been propped internally for support.

“It is not considered suitable for re-use.”

A planning application was approved for a near identical scheme at the end of 2011, which was never started and left to lapse.

The report, added: “Our proposal is to demolish all buildings currently on site, and construct one new dwelling in line

with the original building , plus four on the north west part of the site, all with south-east facing gardens.

“They will be designed to respect the scale of the surrounding houses, the eaves being limited to two storey with dormers providing the internal headroom to accommodate rooms in the roof space.

“Access to the new development would be from Spring Street, along the unsurfaced Caltha Street.

“Electrically operated gates would be installed, which when open will have sufficient width to allow two cars to pass.

“A small pedestrian gate will also be provided.”

The application will decided on a period of consultation with neighbours.