A ‘much needed’ new retirement village is to be built on the site of a former garden centre. Planners had previously raised concerns over disabled visitor access at the ‘independent living’ complex proposed for the old Ladybridge Garden Centre, in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.
But the council’s planning committee voted through the ‘100 pc affordable’ Mill Lane scheme when it met on Thursday night, following reassurances from developer Anwyl Partnerships. A letter to the panel assured members that the second entrance would not be an ‘afterthought’ - perceived as a ‘back entrance’ or ‘fire exit’ - but maximise accessibility around the building.
Councillor Anna Charles-Jones, who voiced concerns at the July meeting, said she was now content to give the go-ahead for the development, which will provide 66 one and two-bed apartments across three levels. Coun Charles-Jones, who is herself disabled, thanked the developer for taking a ‘proactive’ approach since she raised the concerns.
“I think it’s a shame we got to the point we got to at the last meeting,” she told the panel. “But I have to say I have been impressed with the way they have engaged since that point and I’m quite happy with the plans now.”
Concerns around parking were also aired by Coun Wendy Meikle, who felt that 39 spaces for 66 apartments may not be sufficient, despite meeting the council’s parking standards.
“My worries are that, on Mill Lane itself, parking will back up along that road in front of the residential properties or maybe on other roads," she said. "We’ve had it with the hospital, Stepping Hill. It's an absolute nightmare, the parking."
Coun Suzanne Wyatt said the development was ‘needed in the area, certainly for this age group’ - but did have misgivings over public transport to and from Cheadle Hulme district centre. She also questioned whether the authority’s parking standards may need revisiting.
Despite having previously been developed, the site is technically in the green belt - meaning final approval would be needed from the secretary of state. However Emma Curle, the authority’s head of planning,told councillors that applications for areas with a ‘severe shortage of housing’ - such as Stockport - were likely to be successful at appeal.
She added that the requirement for older people’s housing was reflected in the council’s own housing assessment which describes it as ‘much needed’ - and would also form part of the emerging housing strategy. Coun Roy Driver said the ‘substantive issues raised at the previous meeting had now been dealt with - and urged the committee to grant planning permission.
“This is a brownfield site, it’s not a greenfield site - let’s get it built upon,” he said, seconding Coun Andy Sorton’s proposal to approve the scheme. “It’s been derelict for years, if we don’t get it built on now it will be derelict for another 20 years.”
He added: “This development meets all the policy criteria and it’s proposed to be granted. There’s no reason for further debate on this, we are going round in circles, here.” The committee voted to grant planning permission by a majority vote, with only one councillor voting against.
This is subject to the developer agreeing financial contributions toward open space, biodiversity net gain and highways improvement and approval from the secretary of state. Stockport council’s planning and highways committee met at the town hall on Thursday night (August 18).
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