Vacant heritage centre among a number of plots deemed surplus to requirements

A heritage centre between Tameside and Oldham is among a list of sites deemed surplus to requirements by town hall bosses.

The former stables building within the Park Bridge Heritage Centre site, just north of Ashton, has been closed for a number of years, alongside its café. The former family ironworks is a popular spot for walkers given its location within the beautiful countryside of the Medlock Valley.

The site is an excellent starting point for walks to Daisy Nook, Hartshead Pike, Knott Hill and beyond.

READ MORE: 'Anti-social behaviour' hits Greater Manchester's cycle hire scheme AGAIN as some Bee Bike stations closed

According to council papers, the heritage centre and café situated in the old stables are now vacant but were previously used for storage purposes. That building is now deemed surplus to requirements and will soon be put up for sale, the first executive cabinet meeting under new leader Coun Eleanor Wills heard.

When land is deemed as surplus to requirements, Tameside Council will look to sell off the site in order to generate income for capital projects.

The newly appointed finance boss Coun Jack Naylor assured the cabinet that the council will get value for money when it comes to selling the land. The executive cabinet also confirmed other parcels of land to be surplus to requirements.

These plots included a car park on Mary Street/Market Street in Droylsden, woodlands off Cooper Street in Dukinfield, and three pieces of land off Greenside Lane in Denton which are subject to plans for 150 homes.

The council-owned land off Greenside Lane would provide access to the proposed housing development. The meeting in the Tameside One building on October 30 heard how selling off this land could unlock a ‘significant housing development’ in Droylsden.