Prestwich: Fairways Lodge set to be demolished to make way for flats

There were 127 objections to the plans for Fairways Lodge, in the Sedgley area of Prestwich, but applicants McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd had their plan to to build a block of 52 retirement apartments approved.

Fairways Lodge currently has hotel rooms, function rooms, a bar, in house restaurants, a gym which includes squash courts and supports around 45 jobs.

Many nearby residents said the leisure and social facilities at Fairways would be a massive loss to the community as they would not be replaced.

How the retirement complex is set to look under the plans

Nearby resident Colleen Carthy spoke to Bury’s planning committee to oppose the plans.

She said: “The Fairways Lodge is more than just a building in our community it’s the heart and soul of our area.

“As a pub, gym, bar and hotel it’s serves as a central hub for social interaction, fitness and hospitality. “It’s where this community gathers to celebrate milestones.

“Losing it would leave a significant void in our community.

“It would lead to increased isolation particularly for our more elderly and vulnerable residents.”

Ward councillor Richard Gold also spoke to oppose the plans.

He said: “I’m here to tell you what Sedgley Park and its residents are going to lose.

“There’s no other gym nearby and it’s used all the time by residents.

“We will lose a community asset used by a drama group, there’s netball training, fitness classes for the Jewish community, a beauty salon, mental health classes and GMP and the NHS use it.

“It’s used for the homeless as a hub, there are holistic classes and raiki sessions for people with ADHD.

“All this will disappear. It’s the only place locally to host wedding, birthday and funeral functions.

"The community impact will be serious.”

Chris Butt, for McCarthy and Stone, said: “The scheme will deliver 52 much needed retirement living units.

“It will deliver a mix of one and two-bed apartments together with communal facilities.

“The typical occupier will be around 79 years and will be downsizing from a family home in the local area so it will also free up under occupied family homes.

“We believe the scheme will be a successful addition to the area’s character.”

Prior to the committee approving the application, chair of the planning Cllr Gavin McGill said that their function was to approach the application on purely planning legislation basis and not on "whether we like it or don’t like it".

He said: “It’s obviously a very well used and well liked community asset but it’s not a council asset. “We’re deciding on the land use, whether that’s acceptable in planning terms.”