The terraced row plan that could bring an entire town to a standstill

A row of seven new terraced houses would effectively split Mossley in two, preventing people getting from one side to the other, according to furious locals. 

Plans, submitted by Wickens Estates Ltd, for a small grassy bank next to the San Giorgio restaurant have been scaled down since they were last put before the council.

But for some residents in the Tameside town, it’s still not good enough.

They fear the new homes off Stamford Road would create chaos at the five-way junction nearby.

 Local ward representative Coun Jack Homer, speaking against the plan at the latest planning panel meeting, said: “I walk up and down that street everyday getting to the station.

“We had roadworks recently and the traffic backed all the way down the road and back to Ashton.”

He pointed out that Stamford Road is the only route between Bottom Mossley and Top Mossley.

Any traffic standstill means locals would have to travel through the neighbouring Stalybridge to get to the other side of their own town, Coun Homer told the committee.  

He went on to explain that there was a recent crash in the area, leading to a fatality.

“This will be a risk to life,” Coun Homer concluded. 

Fellow objector Mr Jones added: “Another accident or fatality is inevitable if this goes ahead.”

Mr Roberts, appearing on behalf of the applicant, pointed out that when the scheme was knocked back twice before there was no issue raised regarding road networks or traffic.

He said the developer has worked with the council to iron out any concerns raised – with the off-street parking deemed a solution.

The stink over traffic concerns raised was enough to put the planning panel off approving the plan.

Given the recent fatality in the area, Coun Adrian Pearce called to defer the item until a later date. 

He wanted to see a fresh transport assessment taken to ensure the plan would not cause health and safety problems in the town.

Tameside Council’s planning panel voted for Coun Pearce’s proposal and will decide on the application at a later date, once a new assessment has been completed.

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