The crumbling Grade II-listed building with a stunning view that’s about to receive a new lease of life

The front view of Thurstons Cottages, at Ridge Lane in Saddleworth. Image taken from planning documents

A Grade II-listed cottage in Oldham that is currently ‘uninhabitable’ could soon receive a new lease of life.

The building on Ridge Lane in Saddleworth, which is more than 120 years old, may soon be turned into a holiday let for up to six people after receiving planning permission from Oldham Council.  

The developer, listed in council documents as Mr A Coldwell, plans to ‘rescue’ the historic home, which is part of a ‘cluster of cottages’ known as Thurstons on the outskirts of Diggle.

The cottage overlooks a vast green space, with views towards the Peak District to the east. 

But years of standing vacant has left the house in a ‘derelict state’, with a partially collapsed roof and water ingress affecting the property, according to a report by Caroline Tamworth Planning. 

Tamworth wrote: “The application building is vacant, and the fabric is deteriorating with a large section of the main roof having collapsed.

"The dwelling is uninhabitable in its current state, but the applicant is committed to making considerable financial investment to bring the building back into use and create an attractive holiday let unit.” 

The plans include extensive renovation works on the inside and outside, from fixing up the roof and changing interior wall layouts to replacing the windows and doors for newer, better insulated models. 

Though the application was opposed by Saddleworth Parish Council, who believed the change of use would result in the loss of a family dwelling, Oldham councillors argued that the building ‘is not well served as a residential dwelling’ due to a lack of outdoor space. 

“It is considered the new use would provide benefits for bringing the building back into viable use while also supporting local tourism,” planning officer Sophie Leech wrote in a planning report. 

Leech added that the number of occupants should be limited to six. 

A public objector raised concerns about parking and traffic safety, but the report declared that the impact would be no different to that of a normal dwelling.

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