A historic warehouse in Dobcross, once used by the Huddersfield Canal Society, could be converted into a family home under plans submitted to Oldham Council. Applicant Chris Johnston, who secured the leasehold at auction, insists that the building’s character will be preserved.

Mr Johnston took out a 233-year lease on the Trans-Shipment Building, on Wool Road, and has now applied to turn it into his permanent residence. The warehouse, which dates back to 1820, has a rich history tied to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the local community.

Proposals for the site include minimal external alterations. Documents supporting the application state that there will be no changes to the roof or walls. A one-metre hardwood door will be fitted, and three glass panels installed to maintain the original opening. Exterior shutters on both the path side and canal side will remain, preserving the building’s outward appearance.

For safety reasons, particularly when the applicant’s great grandchildren visit, a one-metre high toughened glass balustrade will be installed between the exterior shutters and interior sliding doors.

A plaque will be placed to acknowledge the building’s heritage, reading: ‘Wool Road CANAL TRANS SHIPMENT WAREHOUSE DOBCROSS 1820.’ This will ensure that the significance of the warehouse is remembered.

The building has a fascinating history. It was constructed after a canal company decision in March 1819 to build a smithy and shed at Wool Road, and was completed the following year. By the 1960s, as commercial canal transport declined and local industries closed, the warehouse fell into disuse and disrepair.

However, in the late 1970s, volunteers from the Saddleworth Historical Society stepped in to save it from collapse, repairing structural timbers and the stone slate roof. A more extensive restoration followed in 1993, with funding from European sources, charitable trusts, and Oldham Council, which refurbished the building for community use.

From 2009 until 2022, the Huddersfield Canal Society used the warehouse as their office and meeting base, helping promote canal heritage and volunteer efforts to maintain the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. After being put up for auction, the building may now find a new lease of life as a home.

The applicant argues that the development will make good use of an existing building in an attractive historical setting. It will become the sole and permanent residence of Mr Johnston, ensuring its maintenance and upkeep both now and into the future. The residential use will also add to Saddleworth’s housing stock, where smaller single-storey buildings are in short supply.

The application is now under consideration by Oldham Council. If approved, the warehouse will not only provide a new home but also retain its place in local heritage, preserving a piece of Dobcross’s canal history for future generations.