Former council offices to be transformed into new apartment block

A former council office block in Middleton is set to be converted into an apartment complex. Platinum House, which was previously used by the local authority and now serves as a retail warehouse, will be transformed into a 15-apartment block following approval from the planning committee.

The proposal, put forward by Mr Ali Saroya, includes the addition of another floor to the three-storey building and will comprise 10 one-bedroom flats, three two-bedroom flats, and two three-bedroom flats. Two of these homes will be available for affordable rent, at up to 80 per cent of market value, while the remaining 13 will be rented out by the landlord.

There were concerns from 18 objectors about the lack of off-street parking and potential traffic congestion in the Middleton Conservation Area. Rochdale highways officers shared the concerns about having only on-street parking but suggested the introduction of a residents parking scheme would make the proposal viable.

The plans were approved on November 27, the same night a retrospective plan for a house extension on Newhouse Road in Heywood also received approval, reports the Manchester Evening News.