The Heatons & Reddish Area Committee met to discuss a range of local issues, including highway maintenance, parking restrictions, and community funding. The committee approved funding for Reddish Men in Sheds and Inspire, as well as approving highway maintenance on Dumbarton Close, Reddish and the installation of bollards on Shaw Road, Heaton Moor. Councillors also considered objections to the introduction of parking charges in several car parks, and reviewed an application for an extension to Tithe Barn Primary School.

Free-to-Charged Car Parks

The committee considered a joint report from the Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods and the Assistant Director of Governance regarding objections to the proposed Off-street Parking Places Orders (OSPPOs) for several car parks in the area: Didsbury Road, Derby Range, Ashbrook Lane, Margret Street, and Rupert Street.

The report detailed 68 area-specific and 21 general objections to the introduction of parking charges and associated controls. The objections included:

• Impact on specific groups, including permit costs and limitations, school parking, requests for free parking periods, and effects on local facilities, residents, those with lower incomes, parents with young children, and elderly or disabled users.
• Concerns about displacement of parked cars onto streets and exacerbation of existing parking issues.
• Potential discouragement of public transport use from the railway station.
• Impact on businesses, including loading bays, business rates, customer access, and staff retention.
• Questions about the rationale for charging and how the income would be spent.
• Specific issues such as abandoned cars and land ownership.

The committee was asked to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services make the OSPPOs as originally advertised, despite the objections. The report argued that the charges align these car parks with the majority of others in Stockport's district centres, and that the revenue generated would support the maintenance and operation of the car parks, preventing the diversion of funds from essential frontline services.

Tithe Barn Primary School Extension

The committee reviewed a planning application for an extension to Tithe Barn Primary School, located on Mauldeth Road in Heaton Moor (DC/095714). The proposal included a single-storey extension to increase provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), improvements to recreational play areas, and other associated works.

The proposed 236 square metre extension would include resource base rooms, a specialist practical room, a small group room, a sensory room, a therapy room, and unisex toilets. It would also feature an enclosed and covered outdoor play area. The scheme also included improvements to the existing outdoor play areas, with a 136 square metre hard play area and a 166 square metre soft play area.

Ten letters of objection and one letter of representation were received, raising concerns about:

• Lack of public engagement and consultation with parents and local residents.
• Potential disruption to current pupils during construction.
• Impact on highways, including inadequate parking and increased traffic.
• Design concerns within the Conservation Area¹, including loss of natural light and poor relation to existing structures.
• Loss of playground space.

Four letters of support were also received, highlighting the need for SEND provision in the area and the benefits of the proposed resources.

The committee was asked to grant planning permission, subject to conditions. The planning officer's analysis supported the proposal, stating that it aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and local policies regarding educational facilities. The officer concluded that the development would have a neutral impact on the Conservation Area and would not harm residential amenity, subject to conditions.

Ward Flexibility Funding

The committee approved two applications for Ward Flexibility Funding:

• Reddish Men in Sheds: A grant of £300 (£150 from Reddish North and £150 from Reddish South ward allocations) was approved for a 'Shed Stories' event at Stockroom, celebrating the world of ‘Men’s Sheds’.
• Inspire: A grant of £500 (£250 from Reddish South and £250 from Reddish North ward allocations) was approved to support groups with members aged 75-86, providing light exercise.

Highway Maintenance

The committee approved a highway maintenance scheme for Dumbarton Close, Reddish, authorising the Director of Place Management to order carriageway surfacing work at a cost of £15,000, funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

Shaw Road Bollards

The committee approved the installation of two bollards on Shaw Road in Heaton Moor at a cost of £1,750, funded from the Heatons North delegated Ward budget.

Longford Road West Restrictions

The committee recommended that the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Transport Services approves a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions on Longford Road West at the junctions with Tennyson Road and Farley Way in Reddish. The £1,000 cost would be funded from the Reddish North delegated Ward budget.

The restrictions are proposed on:

• Longford Road West – South Side
• Tennyson Road – West and East sides
• Farley Way – Both sides

Reddish District Centre Action Plan Update

The committee noted the progress in delivering the Reddish District Centre Action Plan, including recent events and projects. Members were asked to provide feedback on ideas for priority projects to allocate UKSPF[^3] funding.

The report highlighted successes such as the Reddish Events group, the 'Spotlight on Reddish' initiative, and support for local environmental initiatives. The District Centre Manager continues to engage with local businesses, offering support and advice.

Footfall in Reddish increased by 20% in Quarter 1 (April to June 2025) compared to the same period last year, while the vacancy rate is 10.5%, lower than the national average.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

The committee noted a report providing an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee, including area flexibility funding, ward discretionary budget funding, and the highway and traffic management delegated budget.