The Planning & Highways Regulation Committee of Stockport Council met on Thursday 13 February 2025, approving plans for 76 new dwellings in Heald Green and granting permission for a change of use at a property in Heald Green to a residential care home for young people. The committee also noted a report on planning appeals, enforcement appeals, and enforcement notices.

Development Applications

Land to the East of Wilmslow Road, Heald Green (DC/088902)

The committee granted planning permission for the erection of 76 dwellings, including access, parking, landscaping, and drainage works, on land to the east of Wilmslow Road in Heald Green. This decision was made with 9 votes in favour and 3 against, subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The proposed development, put forward by WTGB Ltd, includes 44 houses and 32 apartments, with a significant proportion (87%) designated as affordable homes. The site, previously used for airport parking, is located within the Green Belt, and the proposal was considered a departure from Green Belt policy. However, officers argued that very special circumstances existed to justify the development, citing the significant provision of affordable housing and the reuse of previously developed land.

Numerous objections were received from local residents, raising concerns about Green Belt considerations, overdevelopment, impact on residential amenity, highways safety, flooding, and loss of green space. Despite these concerns, the report highlighted that the development would provide substantial benefits, including a significant number of affordable homes and improvements to local infrastructure. The committee also noted the site visit undertaken on 10 February 2025, where members commented on the detailed nature of the application and the proposed development, while also acknowledging resident concerns regarding the loss of parking and green spaces. The issue of flooding in the area was also discussed, with members noting that the situation could become more frequent.

2 Greenhythe Road, Heald Green, Cheadle (DC/092780)

Planning permission was granted for a change of use from a dwelling (Use Class C3) to a residential care home (Use Class C2) to accommodate a maximum of three young people at 2 Greenhythe Road, Heald Green, Cheadle. This decision was also made with 9 votes in favour and 3 against. The proposal includes widening the existing crossing and providing car and cycle parking.

The application had been called to the committee due to six letters of objection from neighbours, who raised concerns about the impact on local living conditions, increased noise and traffic, parking issues, and the suitability of the location for a care facility. They also questioned the need for an additional care home in the area and highlighted concerns about the operator's track record. The Council's Children's Commissioning Team also objected, stating there was an over-supply of children's homes in Stockport and that 90% of existing placements were filled by young people from other local authorities, impacting local services.

Despite these objections, officers concluded that the use as a children's home was appropriate within a predominantly residential area, provided it did not adversely affect neighbouring properties. The Senior Highway Engineer raised no objection, subject to conditions regarding access, parking, and electric vehicle charging. The report noted that while the Children's Commissioning Team's concerns about over-supply were acknowledged, there was no specific planning policy to restrict the number of such homes. The committee also noted the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which now includes specific reference to the housing needs of looked-after children. The site visit on 10 February 2025 also highlighted resident concerns about anti-social behaviour and the provision of residential care homes, but members expressed frustration that these could not be considered material planning concerns for a change of use.

Planning Appeals, Enforcement Appeals and Enforcement Notices

The committee received a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions. It was noted that an appeal against an enforcement notice served at The Birches, 38B Grange Road, Bramhall, concerning the installation of an air conditioning unit, had been dismissed, and the enforcement notice upheld. The new format of the report was welcomed by members for its readability.