The Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee met on Thursday 4 December 2025. The meeting included discussions on neighbourhood policing, the Stockport Local Plan consultation, and the redevelopment of Thorn Grove Primary School. The committee approved the planning application for the new Thorn Grove Primary School building.

Community Engagement

The committee received updates on various community events and initiatives. Councillor Alex Wynne, Chair of the committee, encouraged attendance at local Christmas activities. Councillor Peter Crossen highlighted events such as Woodford Winterfest, the Hangout Youth Group, and the new Men in Sheds group, emphasizing support for local businesses on Small Business Saturday. Councillor Helen Foster-Grime spoke about the success of the Cheadle-Hulme vision group and encouraged resident involvement in voluntary work. Councillor Dallas Jones promoted children's activities in Bramhall Village Square.

Neighbourhood Policing

Sergeant Delaney provided an update on local policing activities. He reported on Operation Hutton, a force-wide response to a terrorist attack, which had scaled back to normal duties. Operation Machinise targeted cash-rich businesses, resulting in the seizure of illegal vapes and cannabis edibles. Operation Treacle, covering the bonfire and Halloween period, saw a reduction in antisocial behaviour reports compared to the previous year. The team was also involved in a Business Week of Action targeting retail crime and Operation Septor, focused on knife crime, which included stop-searches, arrests, and weapon sweeps. A new operation involving a drone unit was being set up to tackle off-road bikes. Sergeant Delaney also mentioned a spike in drug importation and a spree of thefts from insecure vehicles in the Cheadle area.

Councillor Foster-Grime asked about a potential large-scale Avro operation, the progress on securing a dedicated PCSO for Cheadle-Hulme South, and the recent low burglary figures. Sergeant Delaney confirmed he had no date for the Avro operation, no new PCSOs were expected, but the current team was managing. He confirmed the reduction in burglaries was accurate and a positive trend.

Councillor Dallas-Jones thanked Sergeant Delaney for his work on Remembrance Sunday, particularly in Cheadle. Councillor Peter Crossen raised concerns about drones being spotted in Woodford, potentially linked to attempted burglaries, and asked if this was a known modus operandi. Sergeant Delaney stated he was not aware of this but would investigate. He also agreed to provide graphics for social media to help raise awareness of issues like drug importation and vehicle theft. Councillor Jeremy Meal inquired about the frequency of police engagement in schools regarding road safety, drugs, and knives. Sergeant Delaney explained the involvement of MBOs in high schools and PCSOs in primary schools, and the rollout of a Mini Police scheme and a Pole Ed Educational Programme.

Public Question Time

Mr. Andy Kitchen, representing the Save Hall Mossfields Action Group, raised concerns about low local awareness of Stockport Council's draft local plan, its navigation, and the closing date for comments. He asked what further engagement the council would undertake. The Chair provided a detailed response outlining the council's efforts, including attending over 20 events, digital and media communications reaching approximately 54,000 people, and targeted email bulletins. Mr. Kitchen expressed that these efforts were not reaching residents effectively, particularly regarding the complexity of the website. Councillor Crossen suggested the committee draft a request to the social media team to advertise a specific drop-in event outside working hours and to clarify the venue.

Ward Flexibility Funding

The committee noted that no applications for Ward Flexibility Funding were presented. Councillors were encouraged to promote the availability of these funds to local groups.

Development Applications

DC/096647 - Thorn Grove Primary School, Woodstock Avenue, Cheadle Hulme

The committee considered a planning application for the demolition of existing school buildings and the erection of a new part 1-storey, part 1.5-storey building at Thorn Grove Primary School. The proposal includes reconfiguration and increase of parking provision, new and reconfigured playing areas, and associated soft landscaping and bin store. The school has been selected for rebuilding under the 2021 School Rebuilding Programme due to its current condition.

Daniel Hewitt, the planning manager, presented the application, highlighting that the school would remain a one-form entry primary school with a pupil admission number of 236. He noted that the nearest residential properties would be 27 metres away, exceeding adopted standards. Ten objections had been received from local residents on various grounds. Officers recommended approval, citing the public benefits of transforming the learning environment and reducing the school's carbon footprint.

During the public speaking session, Ricky Rassica-Raisapaksa, a resident of Gilbent Road, raised concerns about potential exacerbation of flooding issues due to the new construction. He requested this be addressed before pre-construction. Another resident from Gilbent Road questioned the 27-metre separation distance and expressed concerns about visual impact and the fence height. A third resident raised concerns about noise, potential overgrowth of trees, and shadows into their garden.

Daniel Hewitt responded to the flooding concerns, explaining that the site is in flood zone 1 and that the application included a flood risk assessment and drainage strategy with measures such as a green roof and an attenuation tank. Regarding the fence height, he stated that safeguarding issues necessitate a secure boundary, but landscaping would soften the visual impact. He also noted that potential future developments near South Park could not be considered as part of this application. On noise, he reiterated that pupil and staff numbers would not change and that a noise impact assessment had been conducted, with conditions to be applied.

Laura Rose, the headteacher of Thorn Grove Primary School, spoke in support of the application, detailing the significant challenges posed by the current school's poor condition, including flooding incidents, structural defects, and asbestos concerns. She emphasized that the new building would provide a modern, sustainable, and safe learning environment.

Councillor Keith Holloway strongly supported the application, commending the design and the efforts to minimize disruption. Councillor Helen Foster-Grime also expressed strong support, acknowledging the long-standing need for the rebuild and the extensive engagement with residents. She highlighted the investment in the school and the positive impact it would have.

The committee then moved to the recommendation. Councillor Keith Holloway proposed, and Councillor Helen Foster-Grime seconded, that planning permission be granted subject to conditions. The committee agreed.

Planning Appeal, Enforcement Appeals and Enforcement Notices

Councillor Mark Jones noted that the report on planning appeals, enforcement appeals, and enforcement notices contained inaccuracies in ward locations for some addresses and requested this be reviewed.

Stockport Homes Update

Eva Holt, Head of Independent Living at Stockport Homes, presented an update on the organisation's work. Councillor Peter Crossen noted a decrease in overall satisfaction rates and antisocial behaviour satisfaction figures within the Bramhall South and Woodford ward and requested these be monitored for an upward trend. Eva Holt committed to investigating the antisocial behaviour figures. Councillor Helen Foster-Grime praised the improvements in the report and Stockport Homes' work on damp, mould, and condensation, particularly in light of Awaab's Law. She also raised concerns on behalf of residents at Smithy Green Sheltered Housing regarding mobility scooter charging points. Eva Holt explained that there are two mobility scooter storage areas with charging facilities at Smithy Green, which are infrequently used, and that residents are encouraged to store scooters in their properties due to fire risks in communal areas. Councillor Foster-Grime expressed a disconnect between the on-the-ground messaging and the policies, urging for clearer communication. Councillor Suzanne Wyatt echoed concerns about the messaging and the difficulty some residents face in accessing charging points, questioning the definition of a mobility scooter store versus a charging point. She also highlighted the risk of storing scooters inside properties. Eva Holt acknowledged the need to address the perceived disconnect and ensure clear messaging. Councillor Wyatt also requested that the report include the number of properties in each ward to provide context for the percentage data.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

The committee noted that there were no outstanding non-traffic items regarding progress on area committee decisions.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 5 February 2026.