Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Planning and Highways Committee - Thursday, 21st September, 2023 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension. View directions

Contact: Ian Smith 

Media

Items
No. Item

71.

Supplementary Information on Applications Being Considered pdf icon PDF 58 KB

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

Minutes:

A copy of the late representations received had been circulated in advance of the meeting regarding application 137462/FO/2023.

 

Decision

 

To receive and note the late representations.

72.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 93 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 31 August 2023.

Minutes:

Decision

 

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 31 August 2023 as a correct record.

73.

136444/FH/2023 - 1A Cavendish Road, Manchester, M20 1JG - Didsbury West Ward pdf icon PDF 2 MB

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding the erection of new front porch, erection of single storey rear extension to form garage with terraced area above following excavation of section of

existing rear courtyard, and erection of fencing above existing walls around perimeter of the site; following demolition of part of boundary wall.

 

The property sits within the Albert Park Conservation Area but is not listed.

 

One representation in support of the scheme was received from a Local Councillor.

The key issues for consideration are the potential impact on highway and pedestrian

safety which would arise as a consequence of the removal of part of the boundary

wall allowing access to the rear yard of the application property for parking; potential

impacts on neighbouring occupiers due to any overbearing appearance as well as

the impact on the character of the Conservation Area. These issues are fully

considered within the main body of the report.

 

The applicant addressed the Committee and stated that parking was limited in their surrounding area and this had been raised by many residents and Ward Councillors. New developments were exacerbating this concern. The nearest parking place to the property was some 50 metres away. This scheme would provide an extra space for the community if approved. There are other identical schemes on the same road.

Visibility requirements are imposed on the alleyway which is used by other vehicles to access Cavendish Road. The report stated that the alleyway was not suitable for vehicular access but large vehicles are able to manoeuvre in and out. The report had also stated that the scheme was intrusive to neighbours but the corner shop and other neighbour feel that it is not detrimental. The Planning Team had not worked with the applicant and had used unsuitable documentation and the applicant felt there had been a lack of transparency. A freedom of information request had been refused. This was expressed as absurd as it did not allow the applicant to know how to follow the process.

 

Ward Councillor Kilpatrick addressed the Committee and stated that it was unusual for this size of application to come to the Committee. The Community was crying out for operational housing. Councillor Kilpatrick was surprised to see the officer’s recommendation of Refuse for this application and expected more discussions to have taken place. The reasons for refusal were unusual. Councillor Kilpatrick wanted to see some consistency. Regarding conservation grounds, Councillor Kilpatrick was passionate about this in West Didsbury. Planning and Highways could have worked with the applicant. It was outrageous to refuse when there is already a garage down the alleyway. There was a need to address the main issue which was to build a suitable family house rather than lose one.

 

Ward Member, Councillor Leech addressed the Committee and stated that this was a complex application. There were some positive notes and he thanked the Planning and Highways team for presenting this application to the Committee rather  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

74.

137462/FO/2023 - Land Off Parkmount Road, Manchester, M9 4AJ - Harpurhey Ward pdf icon PDF 857 KB

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

Minutes:

The proposed application relates to the erection of a 2 storey residential development

(including accommodation to roof-space) comprising 24 affordable dwellinghouses

consisting of 18 townhouses and 6 apartments, together with associated access

works, landscaping, parking and boundary treatment.

 

Following notification of the application, 25 representations have been received,

including 24 objections and 1 in support, with comments. A representation objecting

to the development has also been received from Parkmount Residents’ Association.

The proposed development forms part of the first phase of Project 500, which seeks

to provide 378 new, low carbon affordable homes on 27 sites owned by the Council

across the city. Many of the sites are located in north and east Manchester and new

development would respond to high demand for affordable housing.

 

Project 500 is being delivered by registered providers. In this case, the applicant is

Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Group (MSV) - a registered social landlord who own

and manage almost 9,000 properties in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West

Yorkshire.

 

MSV aspire to assist those struggling to find a decent home, the elderly, those on low

incomes and those in need of specialist housing.

 

The Planning Officer referred to an updated transport note which was dealt with by way of a Highways works condition.

 

The Chair gave comments referring to rentals and the Local Government Housing Allowance, noting that there were 16 affordable rentals and 8 to buy at affordable cost and confirmed that the local authority has an allowance.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed that this was correct and in accordance with the definitions of an Affordable Rental scheme.

 

Councillor Andrews moved the officer’s recommendation of Approve for the application.

 

Councillor Kamal seconded the proposal.

 

Councillor Johnson sought some clarity on the application, whilst not opposing it. She requested information on the off-street parking bays and whether they were retained for the use of residents or available to all. Also, Councillor Johnson had concerns around the loss of green space and asked the Planning Team were seeking to replace trees and enhance the area. She also requested information on the low-carbon heating and whether they would be better for the environment.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed that each dwelling had its own parking space and 5 more on-street parking spaces. The loss of green space had been balanced with the offer of affordable housing on the site. There would be biodiversity improvements and other green space nearby also helped to outweigh any detrimental effect of the loss of green space.

 

Decision

 

The Committee resolved to approve the Application for the reasons and subject to the conditions set out in the report.