The Marple Area Committee approved the application for the Stockport Trail Half Marathon to take place in February 2025. The committee also considered two significant planning applications for new dwellings in Mellor, Stockport.

Parks Event Application - Stockport Trail Half Marathon 2025

The Marple Area Committee approved the application from Crazy Legs Events to host the Stockport Trail Half Marathon on Sunday, 23 February 2025. The event will take place along Middlewood Way, starting at Wood Lane car park, Marple, between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, with access required from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm. The approval is subject to the event organiser providing all necessary paperwork, including licences, health and safety documentation, insurance certificates, a traffic management plan, and payment of agreed fees and charges, at least two weeks prior to the event. The event is expected to attract over 250 participants and organisers. First aid will be provided by a professional provider, Peak Medicare, with an ambulance stationed at the start/finish and a mobile response vehicle at the 10km point. The organisers have confirmed that no traffic management plan is deemed necessary as the course does not use roads within Stockport MBC, and parking is planned for Marple College. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the event.

Development Applications

DC091344: Lower Cobden Edge Farm, Whetmorhurst Lane, Mellor, Stockport, SK6 5NZ

This application sought retrospective planning permission for amendments to a previously approved detached dwellinghouse and garage at Lower Cobden Edge Farm. The amendments included the addition of a basement and the lowering of the approved garage. The site is located within the Green Belt, and the proposal was considered inappropriate development. However, officers concluded that Very Special Circumstances existed to justify the approval, as the proposed development would have no additional impact on the openness of the Green Belt compared to the previously approved scheme. The application was recommended for approval, subject to referral to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee as a departure from the Development Plan.

One letter of objection was received, raising concerns about misleading application details, a history of unlawful development, the undisclosed basement, and the materials used for construction. The objector also argued that the raised height of the house and the visible basement negatively impacted the Green Belt and neighbouring properties.

The Highway Engineer raised no objection, subject to conditions regarding construction method statements and access. The Nature Development Officer had no objection, provided that ecological conditions from the previous consent were implemented. United Utilities also had no further comment.

DC091912: Stables On Land To Rear of Longhurst Lane and Knowle Road, Mellor, Stockport

This application sought full planning permission for the demolition of existing stables and tack room buildings and the erection of a single-storey self-build dwellinghouse on land to the rear of Longhurst Lane and Knowle Road in Mellor. The site is located within the Green Belt and a Landscape Character Area.

The Highway Engineer initially recommended refusal due to the site's poor accessibility, noting a heavy reliance on private vehicles and a lack of sustainable transport options. However, after reviewing revised plans and additional information, the Engineer maintained the recommendation for refusal, stating that the applicant had not proposed measures to improve accessibility. Despite this, the report noted that Stockport currently has a significant housing land supply shortfall, which, according to policy, allows for the consideration of sites with lower accessibility scores. The report concluded that the proposed dwelling, being a single unit, would not generate a significant number of trips and therefore did not conflict with policies regarding site accessibility and sustainable travel.

Numerous objections were received, primarily concerning the Green Belt designation, the impact on residential amenity, highways concerns, and the environment. Concerns were raised about setting a precedent for development in the Green Belt, the suitability of the narrow access track for increased traffic, potential overlooking of neighbouring properties, and the impact on local wildlife and ecology.

Consultees included the Arboricultural Officer, who had no objections subject to conditions for tree protection and planting. The Nature Development Officer provided detailed comments on protected species and biodiversity net gain, recommending conditions for ecological management plans and mitigation measures. The Drainage Engineer requested a drainage strategy, and the Environmental Health Officer recommended conditions related to land contamination. The Coal Authority raised no objection, and United Utilities provided standard comments regarding infrastructure.

The report concluded that the proposal represented sustainable development, despite the objections, and recommended granting permission, subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement to secure a contribution towards open space.

Appeal Decisions, Current Planning Appeals and Enforcements

The committee received a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions within the Marple Area Committee area. The report noted that there were no current planning appeals or enforcement appeals. However, there was an ongoing enforcement notice at Land at Holly Head, Hollywood Road, Mellor, regarding the material change of use of land to a residential use, with compliance due by February 2025. Another enforcement notice at 83 Stockport Road, Marple, concerning the change of use from a drinking establishment to a restaurant, was nearing prosecution due to non-compliance.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

A report was presented detailing the progress on decisions made by the Area Committee, including updates on Area Flexibility Funding and Ward Discretionary Budget Funding. The report indicated that there were no outstanding non-traffic related items. The report also provided details on the current status of highway and traffic management delegated budgets.