Jobs fear as site set for demolition

Phoenix Industrial Estate, in Failsworth, could be demolished to make way for 89 homes.

UP to 100 jobs could potentially be lost after red tape surrounding the controversial demolition of an industrial estate was tied up last night.

A total of 40 units - two thirds of them still in use — will be bulldozed to make way for 89 houses on the Phoenix Mills site in Failsworth.

Applicant Mooney Rodgers Ltd had applied to alter the terms of the application, originally granted in March 2014, after planners insisted the applicant would have to provide £100,000 for the relocation of the businesses as well as an additional £100,000 to pay for affordable homes, public open spaces and highway amendments.

After investigations, the applicant discovered a sum of £242,850 could already be payable to existing tenants for relocation, and argued the legal agreement to pay £100,000 would result in double counting.

The planning committee has now agreed to alter the terms and remove the relocation money.

The site has faced planning issues in the past: an original proposal to turn it into a mixture of houses and offices was rejected in January 2011 following a hard-fought campaign by local councillors and businesses. The decision was overturned on appeal in December 2011.