The Planning & Highways Regulation Committee of Stockport Council met on Thursday 3 July 2025 to consider several development applications. The committee discussed proposals for new apartments, a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), a large residential development, and the expansion of Stockport County Football Club's stadium.

Development Applications

The committee considered a number of development applications, with recommendations from officers to grant planning permission for most, subject to conditions and legal agreements.

Stockport County Football Club, Edgeley Park, Stockport

A hybrid application for the expansion of Stockport County Football Club's¹ stadium at Edgeley Park was discussed. The proposal includes a phased development involving the demolition of existing stands and the erection of a new East Stand, refurbishment and extension of the North Stand, and the construction of a new South Stand. These new stands would incorporate spectator seating along with facilities such as retail, food and beverage outlets, offices, and community meeting spaces. The application also included plans for car and coach parking, landscaping, public realm works, and associated infrastructure.

The committee was recommended to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement. This agreement would cover the monitoring of biodiversity net gain², highway-related matters including accessibility improvements, a resident car parking permit scheme, wayfinding improvements, and a monitoring and management fee.

During a site visit on 30 June 2025, members noted concerns regarding the impact of the proposed car park on local green and open space. While the land designated for the car park did not have official nature reserve status, it was identified as low-significance open space. Concerns were raised by residents that the proposed parking spaces would be exclusively for VIP hospitality guests, potentially not alleviating general parking pressures on match days. The club had indicated that the spaces would be for VIPs and operational staff, contributing to parking relief. It was also noted that the club had reduced its parking plans, preserving some green space. The site visit also highlighted that the green space currently had no official public access and was overgrown, including with Japanese Knotweed.

Land at Victoria House and Fletcher Street Car Park, Stockport

A recommendation was made to grant planning permission for a residential development comprising 245 dwellings at Victoria House and Fletcher Street Car Park. The proposal includes the demolition of existing buildings and structures, with associated car and cycle parking, landscaping, and other works.

The planning permission was recommended to be subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement. This agreement would cover Traffic Regulation Orders, a late-stage viability review concerning affordable housing, education, public open space provision and management, and accessibility improvements. A monitoring and management fee would also be secured.

111-117 Stockport Road, Edgeley

The committee considered a proposal to convert an existing commercial unit into 13 one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartments, including part basement conversion and the conversion of an outbuilding into a one-bedroom apartment. The recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement for financial contributions of £4,488.00 towards public open space provision and maintenance, plus monitoring and reporting fees.

A site visit on 30 June 2025 noted that while some houses on Hythe Road had driveways that could alleviate parking impact, the road itself was narrow. The development proposed eleven parking spaces, including two for electric vehicles and two disabled access spaces. Access to the site would be via a shared road with a commercial unit to the rear, and a secondary access off Hythe Road for on-site parking.

151 Northgate Road, Edgeley

A recommendation was made to grant planning permission for the conversion of a dwelling into a 7-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and associated alterations at 151 Northgate Road, Edgeley. The permission was to be subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement for financial contributions of £4,488.00 towards public open space provision and maintenance, plus monitoring and reporting fees.

During the site visit on 30 June 2025, members discussed the impact on parking provision. Northgate Road was noted as a route used for access to Stockport County Football Club on match days, causing significant traffic and parking issues. Local businesses and amenities also contributed to existing parking pressures. The development proposed three parking spaces and cycle storage on-site. Enquiries were made about the possibility of including an additional parking space, but it was advised that this would likely encroach on cycle or bin storage areas.

12 Station Road North, Reddish, Stockport

The committee was recommended to grant planning permission for the change of use of a residential dwelling to an 8-bedroom single occupancy House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 12 Station Road North, Reddish, Stockport. This would be subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement for financial contributions of £2,992.00 towards public open space provision and maintenance, plus monitoring and reporting fees.

The site visit on 30 June 2025 considered the impact on local residents' parking and bin storage. Members noted the site's accessibility via public transport, with Reddish North railway station nearby and the Fallowfield Loop accessible from Station Road, which might attract tenants without cars. Parking capacity in the immediate local highway was considered sufficient, with four spaces available in line with policy, following a parking beat survey. While an HMO would likely generate more waste than a family home, a designated bin storage area was noted to the rear of the property.

Former Springlynn Foundry, Manor Road, Woodley, Stockport

The committee was recommended to grant planning permission for the erection of 10 dwellinghouses with associated access, parking, landscaping, cycle/bin storage, and boundary treatments at the Former Springlynn Foundry, Manor Road, Woodley, Stockport.

Planning Appeals, Enforcement Appeals and Enforcement Notices

The committee was recommended to note a report summarising recent appeal decisions, listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries, informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement actions by Area Committee area.