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

This application related to the erection of two buildings part 27, 20, 17 storeys and part 11 and 10 storeys to form a mixed use development comprising of 461 residential apartments (Use Class C3a) and ground floor commercial uses (Use

Class E) (718 sqm) together with public realm including courtyard pocket park, landscaping, car parking and other associated works.

The proposal would create 461 homes, of which up to 60% would be affordable

(shared ownership and affordable rent), and 718 sqm of commercial space in two

buildings ranging in height from 27, 20, 17 storeys and 11 and 10 storeys. There

would be public realm and parking for disabled residents only.

One neutral comment has been received.

The Planning Officer had no further comment to add to the report.

No objector attended the meeting or addressed the Committee on the application.

The applicant’s agent addressed the Committee on the application.

The Chair invited the Committee to make comments or ask questions.

A member requested clarity on how much social housing for rental was included in the 60% figure. A concern was raised in regard to the lack of car parking, noting that this was a busy area for traffic, expressing that residents without car parks could create further problems in the area. The member then asked about priority for the 5 disable parking bays.

The Planning Officer stated that the developer had secured funding from Homes England to fund the additional 55% affordable housing and stated that 121 homes would be available under social affordable rent and 132 as shared ownership. This area had been awaiting development for a long time and that a multi-storey car park has been proposed which may be able to secure parking for residents of the proposed development. The Planning Officer stated that the developer would be responsible for meeting any needs if there was a greater demand for disable parking spaces.

The previous member welcomed the 121 social rental properties but noted that it was rare to have a development which did not provide any parking.

A members welcomed this application in the Cheetham Ward but noted that the provision for disabled parking was lacking and requested a condition to be added to improve this number.

The Planning Officer confirmed that they would include a condition relating to further disable parking.

A member enquired into whether the financial support for the additional affordable housing had been confirmed and, if so, asked whether there could be additional social rental properties.

The Planning Officer stated that the scheme was based on 5% affordable contribution but was assured that the funding was in place, with the work to begin on the development in May 2022.

The previous member asked if the condition could be amended to state that further affordable rental properties would be added if the funding did not materialise, changing the split from 15 social rentals & 8 shared ownership to all 23 being secured as social rental properties.

The Planning Officer stated that the initial 5% affordable housing included social rental properties on the basis of the 15 social rentals & 8 shared ownership split.

Councillor Flanagan moved the recommendation of Minded to Approve for the application. Councillor Andrews seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendation of Minded to Approve subject to the signing of a Section 106 Agreement in respect on securing an initial affordable

housing contribution and an affordable housing statement.

(Councillor Baker-Smith left during the meeting and took no part in the discussion or decision making process).