The Cheadle Area Committee met on Tuesday 29 October 2024, approving several traffic regulation orders, a grant for a social event, and guidelines for a family trust. The committee also appointed councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day services.

Ward Flexibility Funding - S.E.A Social Events Activities

The committee approved an application from Social Events Activities (S.E.A) for a grant of £26.31 from the Ward Flexibility Fund. This funding, comprising £17.54 from the Cheadle West & Gatley ward allocation and £8.77 from the Heald Green ward allocation, will contribute to the cost of organising a Christmas dinner for vulnerable and isolated individuals.

Appointment of councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services on Sunday 10 November 2024

Approval was given for the appointment of councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day services on behalf of the council. Councillor Anna Charles-Jones will represent the council at the Heald Green service, Councillor Mike Newman at Cheadle, and Councillor Graham Greenhalgh at Gatley.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Greenway Road and Surrounding Roads

The committee approved the legal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order for Greenway Road and surrounding roads in Heald Green. This order, which will introduce 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions, is subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date. The estimated cost of £6,550 will be funded from the Discretionary Ward Budget for the Heald Green ward.

Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust Mid-Year Report 2024/25

The committee approved several recommendations regarding the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust. Firstly, £25,000 will be made available for distribution from the Trust during the 2024/25 financial year. Secondly, no changes will be made to the adopted investment policies. Finally, new guidelines for the distribution of funds were approved, stipulating that retrospective applications will not be permitted, an upper limit of £5,000 will be placed on individual applications, and groups can only submit one application per two-year period. Applications should aim to benefit the wider community rather than solely a specific group with limited beneficiaries.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Demmings Road and Brookfield Road, Cheadle

Approval was given for the legal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order for Demmings Road and Brookfield Road in Cheadle. This order will introduce 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions. Subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date, the order will be made. The total cost of £4,000 will be funded from the Cheadle West & Gatley and Cheadle Hulme North & Cheadle East Delegated Ward Budgets.

Development Application - 2 Greenhythe Road, Heald Green, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 3NS

The committee considered a report on the proposed change of use from a dwelling (Class C3) to a residential care home (Class C2) to provide accommodation for a maximum of three young people. The application had been referred to the Area Committee for determination due to six letters of objection, contrary to the officer's recommendation to grant permission.

Objectors raised concerns about the impact on local living conditions, increased noise and traffic, parking issues, and the suitability of the infrastructure. They also questioned the property's prolonged vacancy and the need for an additional care facility, suggesting that existing services might be overstretched. Concerns were also raised about the integrity of the application process due to alleged misrepresentation of the property's vacancy.

The officer's report acknowledged Stockport's housing under-supply but concluded that the proposed use would retain the character of a large family house and could be considered a community facility, providing employment. The Environmental Health Officer raised no objection, stating that the proposed use would not introduce unreasonable noise sources beyond typical domestic use. The Senior Highway Engineer also raised no objection, subject to conditions regarding access, parking, cycle storage, and electric vehicle charging points.

The Children's Commissioning Team objected to the application, citing an over-supply of children's homes in Stockport and the potential impact on local services. However, the report noted that there is no specific planning policy restricting the number of children's homes and that withholding permission on grounds of over-supply would be unreasonable.

The officer's analysis concluded that the proposal complied with relevant policies, including those protecting residential character and amenities, and that the traffic and parking impacts were not considered severe enough to justify refusal. The recommendation was to grant permission, subject to conditions.

Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations

The committee was asked to provide views on the proposed polling arrangements to inform the 2024 Polling District Review. The report detailed current polling districts and places for the wards covered by the Area Committee, noting that all current arrangements were legal and deliverable. Minor amendments and rationalisations were proposed, including the merging of small polling districts into larger ones to streamline the process. The Acting Returning Officer confirmed that all proposed polling places had disabled access and that the review had considered the need for accessibility for all electors.

Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments Asset of Community Value Nomination

The committee considered a nomination to list Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments, located at Billy's Lane, as an asset of community value. The nomination was made by the Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments Association (CHGAA), an unincorporated body of 45 members. The report confirmed that the asset met the criteria for community value, being partly within the local authority's area, currently used to further social wellbeing, and reasonably expected to do so in the future. The committee was recommended to approve the addition of the allotments to the List of Assets of Community Value.

Highfield Park Asset of Community Value Nomination

Similarly, the committee considered a nomination to list Highfield Park as an asset of community value. The nomination was submitted by the Friends of Highfield Orchard (FOHO), a friends group. The report indicated that Highfield Park met the criteria for community value, having been used to further social wellbeing and with reasonable potential to do so in the future. The committee was recommended to approve its addition to the List of Assets of Community Value.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders & Moving Traffic Regulation Orders on the Bloor Homes Development, Heald Green (Foxcote Estate)

The committee considered a report detailing the findings of a consultation exercise regarding proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and Moving Traffic Regulation Orders (MTROs) on the Bloor Homes Development, known as the Foxcote Estate. The proposals included a 20mph zone, a 7.5-tonne weight limit (except for access), and 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions (double yellow lines).

The report outlined that while residents unanimously supported the 20mph zone, there was less support for the proposed double yellow lines. Following resident feedback and technical re-evaluation, the extent of the double yellow lines had been reduced where deemed safe, but further reduction was not possible due to technical and legal constraints, including the need to ensure the effective functioning of a new signalised junction. Residents' concerns about the impact on visitor parking and the estate becoming a rat-run were addressed, with officers explaining that loading and unloading would still be permitted on double yellow lines and that all properties had off-road parking. The report recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approve the legal advertising of the TROs and MTROs.

Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust Mid-Year Report 2024/25

This report provided an update on the financial standing of the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust as of 30 September 2024. The Trust's overall balance had increased to £391,893. The report detailed dividend and interest income received and analysed the value of the Trust in real terms, indicating a surplus of £37,069. Members were invited to consider making this surplus available for distribution. Proposed additional guidelines for fund distribution included not permitting retrospective applications and setting an upper limit of £5,000 per application. The committee was asked to note the report, decide on the amount of funding for distribution, advise on any changes to investment policies, and approve the proposed additional guidelines.

Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments Asset of Community Value Nomination

The committee considered a nomination to list Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments, located at Billy's Lane, as an asset of community value. The nomination was made by the Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments Association (CHGAA), an unincorporated body of 45 members. The report confirmed that the asset met the criteria for community value, being partly within the local authority's area, currently used to further social wellbeing, and reasonably expected to do so in the future. The committee was recommended to approve the addition of the allotments to the List of Assets of Community Value.

Highfield Park Asset of Community Value Nomination

The committee considered a nomination to list Highfield Park as an asset of community value. The nomination was submitted by the Friends of Highfield Orchard (FOHO), a friends group. The report indicated that Highfield Park met the criteria for community value, having been used to further social wellbeing and with reasonable potential to do so in the future. The committee was recommended to approve its addition to the List of Assets of Community Value.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Demmings Road and Brookfield Road, Cheadle

The committee approved the legal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order for Demmings Road and Brookfield Road in Cheadle. This order will introduce 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions. Subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date, the order will be made. The total cost of £4,000 will be funded from the Cheadle West & Gatley and Cheadle Hulme North & Cheadle East Delegated Ward Budgets. The scheme also includes upgrading the flashing amber beacons on the zebra crossing on Demmings Road to high-intensity LED beacons to improve safety.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Greenway Road and Surrounding Roads

The committee approved the legal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order for Greenway Road and surrounding roads in Heald Green. This order, which will introduce 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions, is subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date. The estimated cost of £6,550 will be funded from the Discretionary Ward Budget for the Heald Green ward. The report detailed resident feedback, with a majority agreeing with the proposals, and noted that some concerns about parking on other roads and at the local mosque would be reviewed at a future date. Access Protection Markings were also offered to residents at a reduced cost.

Development Application - 2 Greenhythe Road, Heald Green, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 3NS

The committee considered a report on the proposed change of use from a dwelling (Class C3) to a residential care home (Class C2) to provide accommodation for a maximum of three young people. The application had been referred to the Area Committee for determination due to six letters of objection, contrary to the officer's recommendation to grant permission.

Objectors raised concerns about the impact on local living conditions, increased noise and traffic, parking issues, and the suitability of the infrastructure. They also questioned the property's prolonged vacancy and the need for an additional care facility, suggesting that existing services might be overstretched. Concerns were also raised about the integrity of the application process due to alleged misrepresentation of the property's vacancy.

The officer's report acknowledged Stockport's housing under-supply but concluded that the proposed use would retain the character of a large family house and could be considered a community facility, providing employment. The Environmental Health Officer raised no objection, stating that the proposed use would not introduce unreasonable noise sources beyond typical domestic use. The Senior Highway Engineer also raised no objection, subject to conditions regarding access, parking, cycle storage, and electric vehicle charging points.

The Children's Commissioning Team objected to the application, citing an over-supply of children's homes in Stockport and the potential impact on local services. However, the report noted that there is no specific planning policy restricting the number of children's homes and that withholding permission on grounds of over-supply would be unreasonable.

The officer's analysis concluded that the proposal complied with relevant policies, including those protecting residential character and amenities, and that the traffic and parking impacts were not considered severe enough to justify refusal. The recommendation was to grant permission, subject to conditions.

Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations

The committee was asked to provide views on the proposed polling arrangements to inform the 2024 Polling District Review. The report detailed current polling districts and places for the wards covered by the Area Committee, noting that all current arrangements were legal and deliverable. Minor amendments and rationalisations were proposed, including the merging of small polling districts into larger ones to streamline the process. The Acting Returning Officer confirmed that all proposed polling places had disabled access and that the review had considered the need for accessibility for all electors.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders & Moving Traffic Regulation Orders on the Bloor Homes Development, Heald Green (Foxcote Estate)

The committee considered a report detailing the findings of a consultation exercise regarding proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and Moving Traffic Regulation Orders (MTROs) on the Bloor Homes Development, known as the Foxcote Estate. The proposals included a 20mph zone, a 7.5-tonne weight limit (except for access), and 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions (double yellow lines).

The report outlined that while residents unanimously supported the 20mph zone, there was less support for the proposed double yellow lines. Following resident feedback and technical re-evaluation, the extent of the double yellow lines had been reduced where deemed safe, but further reduction was not possible due to technical and legal constraints, including the need to ensure the effective functioning of a new signalised junction. Residents' concerns about the impact on visitor parking and the estate becoming a rat-run were addressed, with officers explaining that loading and unloading would still be permitted on double yellow lines and that all properties had off-road parking. The report recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approve the legal advertising of the TROs and MTROs.

Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust Mid-Year Report 2024/25

This report provided an update on the financial standing of the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust as of 30 September 2024. The Trust's overall balance had increased to £391,893. The report detailed dividend and interest income received and analysed the value of the Trust in real terms, indicating a surplus of £37,069. Members were invited to consider making this surplus available for distribution. Proposed additional guidelines for fund distribution included not permitting retrospective applications and setting an upper limit of £5,000 per application. The committee was asked to note the report, decide on the amount of funding for distribution, advise on any changes to investment policies, and approve the proposed additional guidelines.

Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments Asset of Community Value Nomination

The committee considered a nomination to list Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments, located at Billy's Lane, as an asset of community value. The nomination was made by the Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments Association (CHGAA), an unincorporated body of 45 members. The report confirmed that the asset met the criteria for community value, being partly within the local authority's area, currently used to further social wellbeing, and reasonably expected to do so in the future. The committee was recommended to approve the addition of the allotments to the List of Assets of Community Value.

Highfield Park Asset of Community Value Nomination

The committee considered a nomination to list Highfield Park as an asset of community value. The nomination was submitted by the Friends of Highfield Orchard (FOHO), a friends group. The report indicated that Highfield Park met the criteria for community value, having been used to further social wellbeing and with reasonable potential to do so in the future. The committee was recommended to approve its addition to the List of Assets of Community Value.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Demmings Road and Brookfield Road, Cheadle

The committee approved the legal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order for Demmings Road and Brookfield Road in Cheadle. This order will introduce 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions. Subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date, the order will be made. The total cost of £4,000 will be funded from the Cheadle West & Gatley and Cheadle Hulme North & Cheadle East Delegated Ward Budgets. The scheme also includes upgrading the flashing amber beacons on the zebra crossing on Demmings Road to high-intensity LED beacons to improve safety.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Greenway Road and Surrounding Roads

The committee approved the legal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order for Greenway Road and surrounding roads in Heald Green. This order, which will introduce 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions, is subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date. The estimated cost of £6,550 will be funded from the Discretionary Ward Budget for the Heald Green ward. The report detailed resident feedback, with a majority agreeing with the proposals, and noted that some concerns about parking on other roads and at the local mosque would be reviewed at a future date. Access Protection Markings were also offered to residents at a reduced cost.