Issue - meetings

Development of a nursery, primary and secondary school with sports hall, sports pitches and associated boundary treatments, external lighting, landscaping, parking and access.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Jane Chase on 0161 474 3550 or email: jane.chase@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 66326 for the development of a nursery, primary and secondary school with sports hall, sports pitches and associated boundary treatments, external lighting, landscaping, parking and access on land to the south-west of Cheadle College, Cheadle Road, Cheadle Hulme

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in favour of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – (Two for, One against) That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission and consider the following comments in its consideration of the application:-

·         concerns were raised as to the scale of the proposal on a constrained site and the likely impact on the local highway network, as well as the amenity of local residents. Furthermore, although the significant benefits of the proposal with its community facilities and the provision of much needed nursery and primary school places were noted, it was queried how the development would improve secondary education, when the need for secondary school facilities was greater in other parts of the borough.

·         a request was made for Officers from Education Services to attend the meeting of the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee on 28 September 2017 to provide clarification on the need or otherwise for the proposed secondary school.

·         the possibility of implementing Traffic Regulation Orders in the area, particularly along North Downs Road, needed to be considered, both prior to development and when the schools would be running at full capacity. If approved, careful consideration would need to be given to conditions, specifically those relating to construction hours, route for the construction traffic, noise levels, the highway improvement works and their completion prior to the opening of the development, a robust Travel Plan, use of the staff car park, hours of use of the Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and the suitability of cladding materials.

·         Councillors suggested that it would be beneficial for Members of the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee to visit the site as part of their assessment of the application. Any such site visit was suggested to take place on a week day at 8.30am.