£13m plan for offices

[Excerpt from the Metro News, 26/01/07]
THE redevelopment of land next to Stockport's famous pyramid building is moving forward.
Outline plans for a £13.7m office development on the remaining land at Kings Reach Business Park have been submitted to Stockport Council, with a decision due next month.
[Click here to go to the full Metro News article.]

[I had heard that the council had previously delayed the Gorsey Bank development (on land owned by the Council) until private developments had finished on the north side of the Mersey, to avoid an over-provision of offices. I wonder if these new proposals will upset the balance?
Work has started on Gorsey Bank in as much that the footbridge has been replaced (I don't know if it has been opened to the public yet) and demolition has started on the old factory buildings (most recently operating as a window blind showroom and a garage) on the east side of the Gorsey Bank site.]

Care home go ahead

[Excerpt from the Metro News, 26/01/07]
Construction work is due to start at the end of the year on an 86-room facility for the elderly and people with Alzheimer's disease, on the site of the County Hotel, in Bramhall.
[Click here to go to the full Metro News article.]

Ramblers attacked over footpath victory

[Excerpt from the Metro News, 27/01/07]
RAMBLERS have come under fire from residents, councillors and the local MP after winning the right to keep a "crime-ridden" alleyway open following a bitterly-fought public inquiry.
[Click here for the full Metro News article.]

Phone mast for Woodbank Car Park, planning application

DC025136
Installation of a 15 Metre telegraph pole supporting 3 antennae and a equipment cabinet.
Woodbank car park, Turncroft Lane, Little Moor, SK1 4BL.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr R Dickins 0161 474 3550
Consultation Expiry Date: 24-01-2007
Documents (None on line at time of posting)

This seems to be a reapplication of DC023768 which was refused in October. (I placed an objection to this original application to the effect that if one accepted that a mast had to be built in the car park, which I didn't, they had chosen one of the worst locations within the car park. The original application was reported on this blog at 3G mobile mast, Woodbank Car Park.

'Stress' argument sees mast application fail

[Excerpt from Stockport Express, 20/12/06]
STOCKPORT phone mast protesters have persuaded the council a mast application would be too stressful for residents with health problems.

The group opposed a bid from Orange to place a 12m monopole mast at the junction of Offerton Lane and Hempshaw Lane, in Offerton.

click here for the full article.

[This is unprecedented. While the safety of masts are far from proven, operators rely on the fact that they meet EU standards defined some years ago, which only cover certain types of radiation emitted by masts. My understanding was that safety fears could not be used as reason to ban phone masts. it seems highly likely that the council's decision will be overturned, but if it isn't it will be a major victory for phone mast campaigners across the country.]

The Railway PH, Reddish to be replaced by 14 apartments, planning application

DC025042
Demolition of existing building. Erection of new building acommodating 14 number apartments with 14 number car parking spaces.
The Railway P.H, 465 Gorton Road, North Reddish, SK5 6LR
Case Officer / Telephone: Mrs J Chase 0161 474 3644
Consultation Expiry Date: 06-01-2007
Documents: click here (not on-line at time of posting)

Replacement of existing Georgian and opaque glazing with new clear glazing, Heaton Moor, planning application

There is not enough information posted, as yet, to be clear what is happening, but it does sound as if the frontage of the Royal Bank of Scotland may be compromised to accomodate a new ATM.

DC025051
Installation of three number condensers to rear of the building and one number window fan at second floor level, the reconfiguation of bay window to suit relocated ATM at DDA height with addition of anti-ram raid protection system in front of ATM. The addtion of one task light to illuminate the proposed relocation of the external ATM. The removal of the existing night safe. The replacement of existing Georgian and opaque glazing with new clear glazing.
Royal Bank of Scotland, 1 Heaton Moor Road, Heaton Chapel, SK4 4LW
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr C Smyton 0161 474 3551
Consultation Expiry Date: 07-01-2007
Documents: click here (no documents on-line at time of posting).

Public open space to residential garden area - planning application

DC025036
Change of use from public open space to residential garden area.
Land adjoining, 20 Marbury Road, SK4 5NU
Applicant: Stockport Homes (Council owned company which operates council housing)
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr C Smyton 0161 474 3551
Consultation Expiry Date: 07-01-2007
Documents: click here (no documents on line at time of posting.

School's expansion verdict imminent

[Excerpt from Metro News, 14 Dec 06]

CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand a Cheadle school in a green belt area were due to go before Stockport councillors last night. The application, which was refused in July 2005 on the grounds that development would be "inappropriate" in a green belt, has prompted 35 letters of support from locals and MP Mark Hunter.

Click here to see the full article.

England planning shake-up urged

[Excerpt from BBC News 5/12/06]
England needs a new national planning body to have the final say on major infrastructure projects such as power stations, a report has said.
The Barker Review also calls on local authorities to allow more building in green belt boundaries in their areas.
The study also says that England's planning system must be made both quicker and more simple, and the appeals process needs speeding up.
[The Barker Review of Land Use Planning Final Report can be bought for £25 or downloaded for free from here.]

Click on the above image for the full article.

12.5m phone mast, Rose Hill - planning application

DC024921
Proposed 12.5 metre high ultra slim line telecommunications mast and associated ground level equipment cabinets.
Footpath of Stockport Road (Junction with Railway Road) Rose Hill, Marple SK6 6EE.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr M Jordan 0161 474 3657
Consultation Expiry Date: 24-12-2006
No documents available at time of posting. Click on the headline to see for yourself.

10m phone mast, Bramhall - planning application

DC024927
Installation of a radio base station comprising of a 10m high slim line pole accomodating 3 antennas, radio equipment housing and ancillary works.
North Park Road opposite junction with Handley Road, Bramhall, SK7 3JR
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr J F Crowder 0161 474 3661
Consultation Expiry Date: 28-12-2006
No documents available at time of posting. Click on the headline to see for yourself.

Lisburne Lane Service Station 27.11.06

Lisburne Lane Service Station 27.11.06
Photo by A G 1.

.

DC024802
Demolition of existing service station and development of new building to accommodate convenience store, pharmacy and restaurant (Resubmission of DC021449)
Lisburne Lane Service Station, Lisburne Lane, Offerton.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr MR Robinson 0161 474 3543
Consultation Expiry Date: 23-12-2006

Tranquillity is worth fight

[Excerpt from Stockport Times' letters page - 23/11/06]

I am writing to draw the attention of Stockport residents to this Rural Tranquillity Campaign recently launched by CPRE. Tranquility can be difficult to measure, so that we can then make decisions about land use that place[s] importance on tranquillity. CPRE has now created a map of tranquillity covering the whole of England.

Sadly, but not surprisingly for such a large urban area, Stockport shows up on the map as a very non-tranquill area. So what can Stockport residents do to protect, enhance and reclaim tranquillity?

• Firstly, be aware of the issue and when a planning application comes up, whether in Stockport or elsewhere, which seems to threaten tranquillity, speak out against it.
  
• Secondly visit CPRE's website.
  
• Thirdly consider joining CPRE.
  

Michael G Blank, Secretary, Stockport District CPRE



Click the above image for the CPRE website.

Couple embrace winds of change

[Exceprt from the Stockport Express - 22/11/06]
AN ENVIRONMENT-conscious couple who want to cut their fuel bills are installing their own wind turbine.
Ken and Chris Miles, of Madison Avenue, Cheadle Hulme, want to fix the 2-metre rotating blades to their roof to generate power and become the first in Stockport to use such a method.
They have secured a £300 government grant and are now waiting for the council to decide if they need planning permission before they can use wind power to save up to one third on the cost of their electricity.
Management consultant Ken, 60, said: "We decided to do this because of the spiralling cost of electricity and gas bills. We'd switched provider but it made no difference.
"There's also the environmental consideration, as we need to reduce carbon emissions. Plus, if there is a power cut, it will be nice to have enough to run the lights, fridge and freezer.
It is believed the turbine, which will be 3-metres from top to bottom, will provide a third of the couple's energy requirement. Partly funded by the grant, it costs £1,500 to buy and install. The couple originally looked into solar panels but found them unsuitable. They turned to the turbine after learning their home was in an area above the requisite average wind speed of 5-metres per second.


Click the above image for the full story.

Mobile phone mast, Offerton - planning application

DC024721
11.8 metre high lamp post style telecommunications mast and associated ground level equipment cabinets.
Adopted footpath on Hempshaw Lane, close to the junction with Marple Road/ Offerton Lane, Offerton.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr R Dickins 0161 474 3550
Consultation Expiry Date: 07-12-2006.
Documents: click here. (None posted as at 17-11-2006)

ex-Cheadle Hulme post office to become bar - planning application

DC024624
Change of use from post office to drinking establishment (A4) plus demolition of outbuildings and extension to service area.
Former Post Office, 11 Warren Road, Stockport SK3 8HG
Case Officer / Telephone: Ms C Hodgson 0161 474 3540
Consultation Expiry Date: 26-11-2006
Documents: click here.

Unbelievable, another Romiley phone mast planning application

This is unbelievable.
After the stealth lamp post 3G mast was withdrawn last Tuesday, and the train station mast was defeated, the forum mast has reincarnated overnight as now DC024669.

People at the forum and at Romiley's primary are so upset!
People needs to oppose before Mo 27th November. This is quite a short time.

G.

DC024669
12 metre high lamp post style telecommunications mast and associated ground level equipment cabinets.
Pavement adjacent to 5 Romiley Precinct, Compstall Road, Romiley.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr D Harvey 0161 474 3544
Consultation Expiry: Date 27-11-2006
Documents: click here.

Royal Cheadle Hospital - planning application

DC024579 & DC024580
Listed building application for internal and external alterations, single storey rear extension, demolition of pitched roof lean-to, increased height of North Western enclosed area and extension of courtyard.
Cheadle Royal Hospital, 100 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, SK8 3DG.
Case Officer / Telephone: Miss E Curle 0161 474 3538
Consultation Expiry Date: 25-11-2006
Documents: click here.

A very interesting read is the Cheadle Royal Conservation Site Character Appraisal, 2006. For more info, click here.
Below is an excerpt from the appraisal.

The former Manchester Royal Lunatic Hospital, now the Cheadle Royal Hospital was built in 1847-9 and opened in 1849, to replace the earlier hospital in Manchester. The hospital at Cheadle (that part known as the Main Wing) was designed by Richard Lane, who also designed the Stockport Infirmary. Richard Lane, Manchester’s most prominent architect, was architect and surveyor to the Asylum Committee and the winner of the competition for the design of the new hospital. This building was later extended in 1861, 1877 and 1882.

The design of Richard Lane’s hospital was based on new theories concerning treatment regimes for the mentally ill. Reformers such as John Conolly believed that treatment should be therapeutic and should take place in a therapeutic environment in which the building should relate directly to the grounds. The hospital received favourable mention in Joseph Conolly’s book, written in 1856: The Treatment of the Insane without Mechanical Constraint, in which the ideal asylum is described as a building with spacious grounds, doors opening onto gardens and windows ‘commanding agreeable views’. Cheadle Royal Hospital provided such an environment, together with grounds laid out for kitchen gardens and a bowling green. Later provision included tennis courts, cricket pitch, putting green and croquet lawn.

The hospital was intended for the wealthier middle classes and, unlike the pauper asylums, accepted voluntary patients, being the first asylum to do so.

A34 Cheadle phone mast, planning application

DC024560
Erection of 20 metre high lattice mast together with 9 antennas & 3 transmission dishes, 2 ground level equipment cabinets and 1.8 metre high palisade fence.
NGW site off A34 Kingsway, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 4BU.
Case Officer / Telephone: Miss E Curle 0161 474 3538
Consultation Expiry Date: not given.
Documents: click here.