The Marple Area Committee approved £500 in Ward Flexibility Funding for the Stockport Canal Boat Trust and agreed to make permanent a 'Limited Waiting' traffic regulation order on George Street, Compstall. The committee also considered a significant planning application for an assisted living development and various traffic regulation proposals.

Ward Flexibility Funding - Stockport Canal Boat Trust

The Marple Area Committee approved an application from the Stockport Canal Boat Trust for a £500 grant from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget. This funding, split equally between the Marple North and Marple South ward allocations, will contribute towards the cost of replacing the engine and associated fitting costs for the Trust's narrowboat, 'New Horizons', which suffered a catastrophic engine failure in April 2025. The Trust, established in 1981, provides accessible narrowboat trips for people with additional needs, their families, and carers on the High Peak and Macclesfield Canals. The failure of the engine means the boat is currently inoperable, impacting the Trust's ability to run trips and cover its normal running costs. The total cost of the engine replacement and fitting is estimated to be around £12,000, with the Trust covering the shortfall through reserves and other donations.

Objection Report - George Street, Compstall

The committee agreed to make permanent the 'Limited Waiting' traffic regulation order on George Street, Compstall, despite one objection. The experimental order, in place since March 2024, was implemented to address parking issues around the Post Office. The objection raised concerns about the impact on local residents and suggested the current proposal would worsen the situation. However, the committee noted that one bay on Market Street had been left unrestricted for general use, and residents who live nearby had successfully applied for resident permits for Etherow Car Park, which should alleviate parking pressures. The Post Office provided a statement in support of making the order permanent, highlighting a significant increase in trade and improved safety since the restrictions were introduced. They noted that previously, cars were left for extended periods, causing hazards and impacting their business. The Post Office stated that the current restrictions have resolved these issues, ensuring safe and convenient parking for customers, particularly families, the elderly, and those with disabilities.

Development Applications - Westwood House, Eastwood Drive, Marple

The committee considered an outline planning application for the demolition of the existing vacant office building at Westwood House and the erection of an assisted living housing development for the elderly, comprising up to 60 units. The application, which reserves all matters of access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale for future consideration, was referred to the committee due to more than six letters of objection.

Objectors raised significant concerns regarding parking, traffic generation, and highway safety, arguing that the proposed 34 parking spaces are insufficient for residents, visitors, staff, and support workers. They also highlighted potential overspill parking onto already congested surrounding residential streets, impacting access and safety. Concerns were also raised about the visual impact of the development, with objections to its size, scale, and height, stating it would be out of keeping with the predominantly two-storey residential character of the area. Issues of overlooking, loss of privacy, and noise disturbance to neighbouring properties were also cited.

The report from the Deputy Chief Executive indicated that the site has been vacant since 2010 and is considered no longer viable for its former employment use. The principle of residential development, specifically for assisted living for the elderly, was deemed acceptable due to the current housing land supply shortage in Stockport and the identified need for such accommodation. The report suggested that the proposed density of development could be accommodated without unduly impacting the area's character, and that the quantum of development could be managed without causing undue harm to visual or residential amenity, subject to detailed consideration at the Reserved Matters stage.

The Highway Engineer raised no objections, subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement to fund parking restrictions on Eastwood Drive. The report concluded that, despite the objections, the proposal represented sustainable development, and any adverse impacts would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. The recommendation was to grant outline planning permission, subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement.

Barnsfold Road and Hollingworth Drive, Marple - Proposed Moving Traffic Regulation Order (MTRO) 20mph Limit

The committee was asked to comment on a report detailing the findings of a consultation for the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on Barnsfold Road and Hollingworth Drive. The proposal stemmed from resident concerns about speeding motorists, particularly those heading towards the golf club. An Automatic Traffic Count (ATC) in June 2024 recorded 85th percentile speeds of 14mph, which is considered suitable for a 20mph limit without vertical calming measures, relying instead on signage and road markings.

Of the 28 responses received from affected frontages, 24 were in support, citing issues with increasing traffic speed and welcoming calming measures. However, four responses were not in support, questioning the necessity and cost of the signage, suggesting the issue lay with golf club traffic, and arguing the road was not a cut-through. Traffic Services responded that councillors had agreed to fund the scheme from the delegated ward budget and that a commitment to rolling out 20mph zones on residential roads had been made previously by the Council. The estimated cost of the scheme is £3,000, funded by the Marple South & High Lane delegated ward budget. The committee was asked to recommend approval for legal advertising, subject to no objections being received within 21 days.

Hibbert Lane & Stockport Road junction, Marple

The committee was asked to comment on proposals to approve the cost of a traffic survey commissioned by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the junction of Hibbert Lane and Stockport Road. The request originated from Marple North ward councillors concerned about motorists turning right from Hibbert Lane onto Stockport Road blocking the junction and hindering traffic flow. TfGM will commission a survey to determine if a yellow hatched box at the junction would be beneficial. The cost of the survey is £1,650, to be funded from the Marple North delegated ward budget. The data from the survey is expected to be available 4-6 weeks after completion.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order 'No Waiting At Any Time' on Weatherly Drive, Marple

The committee considered a report on the findings of a consultation for the introduction of a 'No Waiting At Any Time' Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Weatherly Drive, Marple. The proposal aims to address concerns about motorists parking close to the junction of Weatherley Drive and Stockport Road, causing issues for vehicles turning from Stockport Road onto Weatherley Drive.

Of the two properties consulted, one response was not in favour, arguing that the double yellow lines would do little to address the junction's inherent issues, including visibility problems due to the curved nature of Stockport Road, speeding, and cyclists using the route unsafely. Traffic Services responded that the proposals aim to assist the free flow of traffic on Stockport Road by preventing parking near the junction. They also noted that additional directional signage for the cycle path could be considered, and that speeding issues should be reported to Greater Manchester Police. The estimated cost of the TRO is £1,100, to be funded from the Marple North delegated ward budget. The committee was asked to recommend approval for legal advertising, subject to no objections being received within 21 days.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

The committee received an update on the progress of decisions made by the Area Committee. The report indicated that there were no outstanding non-traffic items. Progress on traffic schemes was detailed in Appendix D of the report. Appendices A, B, and C provided an overview of the Area Flexibility Funding, Delegated Budget, and Ward Discretionary Budget Funding for 2025/26, detailing available funds, grants made, and approved schemes. Appendix D specifically listed ongoing traffic-related enquiries and their current status, including investigations into gateway schemes, parking bay changes, speed limit reviews, and junction protection measures across various locations within the Marple area.