This meeting considered two planning applications, granting permission for both. It also considered the minutes of the previous meeting and an additional information report.

Application 113777: 10 Wey Gates Drive, Hale Barns

This application sought permission to demolish an existing house and build a new dwelling in its place.

This application had been deferred from the previous month's meeting, following a request from Councillor Dylan Butt, who is the local councillor for the Hale Barns ward and the Conservative Spokesperson for Climate Change on Trafford Council.

When the application was initially considered by the committee in October, only three objections were received from residents. Councillors nonetheless expressed concerns about the scale and massing of the development, in particular its impact on the light enjoyed by the occupiers of the neighbouring property:

The house will significantly restrict the light into my home by extending a full room’s depth (5m) further back than no. 8

Councillors also objected to the appearance of the proposed dwelling, arguing that it would harm the character of the street:

The design is imposing on the existing properties, jarring and overbearing in appearance and out of keeping with the general street scene.

Following deferral, the applicant reduced the height and width of the dwelling, removed a single-storey front projection and reduced the size of windows on the side and rear elevations. These changes were intended to address concerns about the scale, massing, and impact on neighbour amenity. Following a 21-day reconsultation, a further five objections were received, along with a neutral response, and three responses in support. The remaining objector continued to express concern about the loss of light caused by the proposal, and all of the supporters expressed a preference for earlier, larger versions of the scheme.

Despite the objections from neighbours, the application was approved.

Application 114593: Sale Point, 150 Washway Road, Sale

This application sought permission to replace, enlarge and add to the windows of an existing six-storey office building. This application attracted 15 objections, all raising concerns about the impact of the change of use of the building from offices to 79 residential units, which was the subject of a separate application for prior approval¹ using Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended):

Traffic turning into and out of Barkers Lane is already very heavy and the increased thoroughfare that would result from 79 residential units would worsen this.

There is insufficient parking for the additional residential units.

Local medical service provision will need to be expanded to accommodate the extra households.

The report noted that the application before the committee was for the external alterations only, and that the concerns being raised by objectors would be considered separately as part of the prior approval process. The application was approved.