A plan to turn a part of the former Ainsworth Hospital into two houses cannot progress after a ruling by the Planning Inspectorate.

Applicants Mr and Mrs Stopforth applied for planning permission for a part of the former smallpox hospital on Knowsley Road.

The plan for two houses was a resubmission of another plan for two houses which was refused by Bury Council a number of years ago. It was refused by Bury Council for the second time around a year ago on the basis of its impact on the character and appearance of the area and its Non-Designated Heritage Assets.

Mr and Mrs Stopforth appealed to the Planning Inspectorate but, last month, planning inspector J D Clark ruled in favour of the council over the former smallpox hospital which is now known as The Coach House.

(Image: The Archaeology Co)

They said: "The proposed development would harm the significance of The Coach House and the other former hospital buildings in the complex as Non-Designated Heritage Assets. The dwellings would do little to reflect the historical narrative of the site but would be out of place and would harm the character and appearance of the area. 

"The proposed development would conflict with the [Bury Unitary Development Plan] which, amongst other things, seeks to enhance the character and appearance of the built environment. The proposed development would conflict with the aims of the [National Planning Policy Framework] to enhance the historic environment."

Built in 1906, Ainsworth Hospital was a hospital until around 1982 and it was a nursing home until around 2018. 

The buildings were broken up into separate sites after 2018 and some of the sites are already in residential use.

(Image: The Archaeology Co)

The applicant is not allowed to appeal against the Planning Inspectorate other than in the High Court.

Any appeals are allowed only on the basis the Planning Inspectorate was wrong according to the law.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.