The Heatons & Reddish Area Committee met on Monday 10 March 2025. The committee considered funding for a feasibility study into a pedestrian crossing on Station Road, Heaton Mersey, and applications for Ward Flexibility Funding. The committee also considered a 5k run event at Reddish Vale Country Park and a planning application for a children's home.

Station Road, Heaton Mersey - Pedestrian Crossing Feasibility Study

The committee considered a proposal to approve £5,000 from the Heatons South Delegated Ward Budget to fund a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing facility on Station Road in Heaton Mersey. This was in response to concerns raised by local ward councillors regarding pedestrian safety at the junction of Station Road and Vale Road, near Craig Road. The study would assess vehicle types and sizes, produce feasibility design drawings, conduct swept path analysis, survey for statutory services, and investigate drainage and lighting. It would also provide advice on possible options, costs, and funding sources. The study was expected to be completed in 2025.

Ward Flexibility Funding

The committee considered several applications for Ward Flexibility Funding:

• Reddish Eagles Basketball Team: A grant of £586.85 was requested from the Reddish South ward allocation to support training equipment, team kit, and a social team-building activity. The team provides basketball for year 3/4 children and aims to ease costs for parents and improve training quality.
• Stockport Sea Cadets: A grant of £88.23 was requested from the Heatons South and Reddish South ward allocations towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to establish an archery club. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for sea cadets and other cadet forces.
• Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC: A grant of £188 was requested, with £47 from each ward allocation, towards the cost of hosting the ‘Fabulously Me’ event. This event is intended to celebrate the organisation's fifth anniversary and provide an inclusive coming-of-age experience for the LGBTQ+ community.

Park Use Application - Reddish Vale Country Park - Decathlon Run Days 5k

The committee considered an application from 'Run Through' on behalf of Decathlon to host a 5k run at Reddish Vale Country Park on Sunday, 20 July 2025. The event was scheduled to take place between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, with setup from 6:30 am and vacating by 1:30 pm. EMATS would provide medical coverage, and no additional traffic management was required as vehicles would be onsite only for setup and tear down. The approval was subject to the event organiser providing all necessary paperwork, including licences and health and safety documentation, at least two weeks prior to the event, and payment of agreed fees.

Development Applications - 11 Allerdean Walk, Heaton Moor

The committee considered a planning application to change the use of a dwelling at 11 Allerdean Walk, Heaton Moor, from a Class C3 dwelling to a children's home for a maximum of three children (Class C2). The application was referred to the Area Committee due to six letters of objection, contrary to the officer's recommendation to grant permission. Objections raised concerns about negative community impact, increased traffic hazards, noise pollution, anti-social behaviour, lack of community integration, oversaturation of care facilities, impact on property values, and potential detrimental relationships between the proposed home and an existing nearby children's home.

The officer's report noted that while Stockport has an over-supply of children's homes, this is not a planning policy consideration for refusal. The report also addressed highway concerns, stating that the level of traffic generated would not cause severe impact on the local highway network. Environmental Health raised no objections. The report concluded that the proposal aligns with development plan policies and the National Planning Policy Framework, and recommended granting permission.

Road Safety around Schools Whitehill Primary School - Objection Report

The committee considered objections received regarding proposed traffic regulation orders for the Whitehill Primary School scheme, affecting Park Bridge Close, Kingsley Avenue, and Horace Grove in the Reddish South Ward. The proposals aim to improve road safety and access during school drop-off and pick-up times. Objections primarily focused on the potential for increased parking and congestion on Park Bridge Close, as restrictions were proposed for surrounding roads but not Park Bridge Close itself, beyond a loading ban.

The report detailed responses to each objection, explaining that the proposed restrictions, including a 'No Loading' restriction on Park Bridge Close during school times, are intended to alleviate inconvenience for residents and ensure safe passage for pedestrians. The council's Highways department confirmed that while some residents expressed concerns about the impact on parking, the benefits to safety were considered to outweigh the minor impact on on-street car parking availability. The committee was recommended to accept the proposed amendments to the order and recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services approves the implementation of the traffic regulation orders.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

A report was presented detailing the progress on decisions made by the Area Committee. It was noted that there were no outstanding non-traffic items. Progress on traffic schemes was included in Appendix E of the report. The report also provided an update on the status of Area Flexibility Funding and Ward Discretionary Budget Funding for 2024/25, showing remaining balances and approved schemes.