The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licencing is enclosed.

A copy of the late representations received had been circulated in advance of the meeting regarding application 133858/FO/2022.

Decision

To receive and note the late representations.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2022.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2022 as a correct record with the additional noting of a new Committee protocol for submitting late representations, which would now have to be received 48 hours before the meeting to be considered for inclusion. This was due to a Councillor having presented late representations on two occasions, one during the Committee meeting and another at noon on the day of the Committee meeting.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing that described that the proposal would create 128 homes in two apartment buildings and 10 townhouses. The apartment buildings are 8 and 5 storeys and the townhouses 3 storey. Parking, public realm and landscaping would be provided. The proposal is the first project the City Council’s ‘This City’ housing company which seeks to develop high quality, low carbon housing for all Mancunians as part of boosting the City’s housing supply which includes providing affordable housing.

The Planning Officer had nothing further to add to the printed published report.

The agent addressed the Committee on the application, stating that this development represented high quality homes for all with a low carbon impact for Manchester residents. This was a new venture looking at building 500 homes per year, self-finance with all profits going towards affordable housing. Rates would be capped for the unwaged and low waged and protected in perpetuity. There would be a premiere service for all tenures. All dwelling to be adaptable for disabled and older people and will meet national space requirements. The development would be of a sensitive building design with landscaped public realm and sustainable water, carbon, pollution, waste and recycling features. The scheme would be fitted out with electric cycle and car charging facilities and create many jobs in the development phase with Manchester residents having priority. The scheme would create more Council Tax revenue and much needed affordable homes in Manchester.

The Planning Officer had nothing further to add.

A member stated that this was a much needed development in this area but would like to discuss issues around parking. The report had mentioned that there would be no impact on local parking arising from the scheme. The member felt that this was disingenuous and also raised the distribution of disabled parking within the scheme whilst noting that the Ancoats Parking Policy could be considered for this site, as the scope was extended by The Leader of the Council. The member asked the Planning Officer to raise the issue of the 38 rented dwellings being included in the aforementioned parking scheme.

The Planning Officer stated that this could be picked up within the scope of the residents’ parking scheme to address their needs.

A member asked if the townhouses were part of the affordable housing stock in the site and the Planning Officer confirmed this to be the case.

The member went on to say that this was very welcome and atypical for Planning applications in general. He added that there may be a design issue with flat rooves, stating that this has created problems in his own ward. The member also questioned whether residents of the townhouses could receive parking permits, in line with the previous member’s request for other residents in affordable housing on the site and whether those not in affordable housing have access to parking permits, some clarification on the mobility hub charges.

The Planning Officer stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing that described that the proposal related to the erection of a part three, part four storey development to provide 29 (10 x one and 18 x two bed and 1 x studio) residential units with associated vehicular and cycle parking, refuse store and landscaping.

The application site currently forms part of the existing Chorlton Irish Club car parking area to the south located within the Chorlton Ward, the opposite side of Cross Road lies within Chorlton Park Ward. The proposals were subject to notification by way of 273 letters to nearby addresses, site notice posted at the site and advertisement in the Manchester Evening News.

In response to the revised scheme objections were received from 21 residents at 16 separate addresses and three neutral comments were made. Amongst other matters that are set out within the body of the report it is considered that the principle of apartment led residential development in this part of South Manchester is appropriate as it will add to the stock of affordable housing. The scheme will also bring forward high quality development on a brownfield site in a sustainable location that will not give rise to unacceptable impacts on the highway network or cause undue harm to the amenity of surrounding property.

The Planning Officer stated that a full tree protection order for the duration of construction would be put in place if the Committee approved the application.

An objector, representing local residents, addressed the Committee on the application. He stated that he has lived on Cross Road for 50 years and that there has never been any previous threat to the character of the road. He stated that residents were in support in principle but saw the scheme as overdevelopment, being too tall and extensive, with other local groups stating that it is an obtrusion in the locality. The objector claimed that these views had been ignored by the Planning Team and developer, adding that Council policy had not been adhered to. The scheme would present Cross Road with a 264% increase in residents if approved. The Victorian era drainage system on Cross Road was already failing and the addition of further dwellings would exacerbate this problem. The developer had addressed the issue of overlooking dwellings on Thornbridge Avenue but nothing had been considered for Cross Road and was in breach of policies. The objector had hoped for a smaller scale development, more in keeping with the area, and asked the Committee to consider a site visit to make a more informed decision and understand the intrusion to local residents.

The agent addressed the Committee on the application, stating that the site was acquired by Southway Housing Trust in early 2021, having beaten competition from private developers. They had made an agreement to leave parking spaces to allow the Irish Club to have spaces for clients when they re-opened. Prices to buy houses  in Chorlton had been known to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing that described that the applicant is proposing to erect a two storey building on the site to form eight supported living apartments, complementing the existing supported living use that operates out of the other three buildings. One resident has objected to the proposal but did not substantiate it with any reasons. Another local resident has stated their support for the proposal but has raised concerns about potential highway issues, as well as making a number of observations about ecology and construction management.

The application was being placed before the Committee as the site is located within the Green Belt and adjacent to three Grade II listed farm buildings.

The proposal is considered to be appropriate development within the Green Belt and as such would not constitute a departure from the Core Strategy and would not need to be referred to the Secretary of State.

The Planning Officer had nothing further to add.

The applicant addressed the Committee on the application and stated that the scheme was for accommodation for adults with learning disabilities, with support, who could not live in a shared space.

The Planning Officer had nothing further to add.

Councillor Andrews stated that the Baguley Ward Councillors supported the scheme, noting some local opposition to the footpaths and moved the officers recommendation of approve for the application with an additional condition to include e-bike charging on the site.

Councillor S Ali seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee resolved to Approve the application subject to the addition of the aforementioned condition.