The Central Stockport Area Committee met on Thursday 1 August 2024, discussing several key development applications and transport initiatives. The committee recommended approval for major developments at Stockport Exchange and High Street, and made decisions on various traffic regulation orders and park use applications.

Development Applications

The committee considered two significant development applications. For DC/091580: Land At Stockport Exchange, Railway Road/Wellington Road South/Station Road, Stockport, SK1 3SU¹, which proposed a hybrid planning application for office buildings and ground floor commercial use, the committee recommended that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission. This included full permission for Stockport Exchange Phase 5 and outline permission for Phases 6, 7, and 8, subject to conditions outlined in the officer's report.

Regarding DC/090964: 18-37 High Street, Stockport, SK1 1EG², a proposal for partial demolition and conversion of existing buildings to create a residential development of 45 units, the committee recommended that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be minded to grant planning permission. This decision was contingent on the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement³, and a site visit by the Visiting Team was to be undertaken prior to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee meeting.

City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements

Several transport schemes were discussed under the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) initiative.

The committee considered the CRSTS A6 Corridor: Improving Journeys project⁴, which aims to improve bus journeys and active travel along the A6 corridor. Following significant concerns raised about proposed routes and the time allocated for review, the committee passed a motion to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services put the decision on hold. This would allow for further consideration by the Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee and for the report to be resubmitted to a future Area Committee meeting. Councillor Jon Byrne and Councillor Paul Wright declared personal interests in this item as members of Walk Ride Stockport and a Hackney carriage driver respectively.

For the CRSTS A560 Quality Bus Transit Scheme⁵, which proposes to develop a Quality Bus Transit corridor along the 330-bus route between Stockport and Ashton, the committee recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approve the implementation of Schemes A and B. These schemes include a new Puffin crossing on Great Portwood Street, a raised table at the junction of Richard Street/Marsland Street, an upgrade of the existing Pelican crossing on Carrington Road to a Puffin crossing, relocation and improvement of bus stops on Carrington Road, a cycle link between Crescent Road and Carrington Road, and a raised table at the junction of Werneth Street/Carrington Road. It was noted that no funding was currently available for segregated cycle lanes, but this could be reviewed in the future.

The committee also addressed the CRSTS Hempshaw Lane scheme⁶, seeking approval for permanent Traffic Regulation Orders. The committee approved the legal advertising of a package of traffic regulations orders for the scheme, with the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services to be recommended to approve the remaining elements, subject to no objections being received within 21 days.

Traffic Regulation Orders and Park Use Applications

The committee considered a proposed Traffic Regulation Order for Victoria Park, Offerton, Stockport⁷. Members agreed to defer determination of elements of the order for further consideration. However, approval was given to the legal advertising of the Moving Traffic Regulation Order for a 'One Way System' within Victoria Park, funded in part by the Delegated Ward Budget for the Manor ward.

Two park use applications were granted:

• Woodbank Memorial Park - Stockport 10 Event: Approval was given to Stockport Harriers & Athletic Club to use Woodbank Memorial Park as part of their 2024 road race on 15 December 2024, subject to the organiser obtaining necessary documentation and licenses.
• Hollywood Park - Open Air Cinema Event: Approval was granted to Civic and Social to host 'Hollywood on the Park', a fun day and open-air cinema event in Hollywood Park on 7 September 2024, subject to the organiser obtaining appropriate papers, event plans, health & safety documentation, licenses, and insurances.

Other Matters

The committee received an update on the Edgeley District Centre Action Plan⁸. Richard Daniels, District Centre Manager, spoke to the report, which detailed recent successes and priorities for the next six months. Comments included suggestions for radios to enhance shopkeeper security and a discussion on the distribution of funds, with a concern raised about focusing on equality rather than equity. The committee noted the progress made in delivering projects and events.

A report on Planning Appeals, Enforcement Appeals and Notices⁹ was noted. Concern was raised regarding enforcement action against a property at Land at The Arches, 1 Wellington Road South, which had received funding from the Greater Manchester Brownfield Fund.

The committee also reviewed progress on Area Committee Decisions¹⁰, noting that a previously approved Ward Flexibility Funding grant for 'Autisk' was no longer needed as the organisation had sourced funding elsewhere.

During public question time, a question was submitted regarding inconsiderate behaviour and traffic issues on Hilton Street, Hilton Court, and Gradwell Street due to building work in the King Street area, and also during Stockport County home games. The questioner requested that Hilton Street be considered for inclusion in a parking zone extension. It was confirmed that a parking review for affected areas would be progressed, and the Director of Place Management was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

The committee also received an announcement from the Chief Planning Officer regarding the upcoming consultation on the draft Local Plan and the new National Planning Policy Framework, with updates to follow.