A developer has been lined up to build homes on a newly-derelict site where 'a part of the Droylsden family' had stood for decades.
Watkin Jones is expected to complete a deal to buy the former Droylsden Library site and land behind it, known as the Lock Keepers.
Tameside Council's cabinet is proposing the deal following the demolition of the old Droylsden Library, which closed its doors for the final time last August after 84 years.
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Coun Ged Cooney, Tameside Council's executive member for housing, planning and employment, said: “This site can deliver a high quality housing scheme that will meet identified local needs, help to regenerate a long-term vacant site and act as a catalyst for regeneration across the wider town centre of Droylsden.
"The sale of the two sites together is the practical approach and ensures the best future use of the location.
“Watkin Jones has a track record of delivering successful residential developments, including Droylsden Marina, and we welcome the opportunity to partner with them again and build further new homes.”
There was an outpouring of sadness from residents as the Manchester Road building closed its doors last year.
Commenting on the MEN's MyTameside Facebook page, Yvonne Cox said it was 'so sad to see another old building being demolished', while Helen Souter said the building held 'so many great memories'.
Renowned artist Liam Hopkins, who runs Lazerian in Denton but lives in Droylsden, said he had been in discussions with the council to use the old building as a studio - but the talks were unsuccessful.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News on its final day of opening, Coun Sue Quinn said: "This library has meant a lot to the people of Droylsden, it's like the hub of the town.
"This is where everybody used to come if they had a problem with their council tax, benefits, just to get books out or meet people - the family groups that came. It's just a part of the Droylsden family.
"They don't make buildings like this anymore and it's a shame that it's closing, but it's a sign of the times - you have to move on and hopefully people will enjoy the new building just as much as this one."
A petition to save the building from demolition had more than 1,450 signatures - but it was not enough to save the library from bulldozers.
The local authority secured £800,000 in Brownfield Homes Funding towards the redevelopment of both the old library and the Lock Keepers, which are to be sold as one site, as well as the relocation of the library to Guardsman Tony Downes House last September.
Watkin Jones already owns access to the former library site and the Lock Keepers, as well as two adjacent sites.
Tameside Council had signed an agreement with the developer back in 2005 to overhaul the area, including the Droylsden Marina site.
This included the Lock Keepers, which had been lined up for commercial development, but the council confirmed last July that 'no suitable use' had been found for it despite extensive marketing.
Peter Quinn, investment and partnerships director at Watkin Jones, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for us to continue our work to bring new high-quality homes to Droylsden.
"We are still very early in the process but look forward to working closely with the council and the local community to create a thriving neighbourhood on this vacant brownfield site.”
