Northern Trust, which is based at Chorley, acquired the site last year and has since then demolished most of the buildings and carried out an investigation into potential development options.

It has now applied for permission to build up to 100 homes. Northern Trust’s proposals also include landscaping, an acoustic fence to minimise noise disturbance from trains passing along a nearby railway line, parking and footpaths.

A spokesman said: “Northern Trust is committed to regeneration and the provision of a high-quality residential development appropriate to the surrounding area.

“Following Northern Trust’s investment at East Tame Business Park the proposals continue our commitment to regeneration and represent another significant investment to development within Hyde and the wider Tameside borough.”

Northern Trust’s existing property portfolio amounts to more than eight million square feet of industrial and office parks. It owns or manages more than 5,000 acres nationwide.