Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 April 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Area Committee.

To receive any announcements from the Chair about local community events or issues.

No Chairs Announcements were made.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available the meeting and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

Kay Williams, Public Realm Inspector, attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public highway and environmental quality issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A range of enforcement activity had taken place since the last meeting, including responding to graffiti and fly-tipping.

·         An update was requested on planned resurfacing work on Ripley Avenue, Great Moor.

·         There had been an ongoing problem with waste being presented incorrectly at properties in the vicinity of the Fiveways Shopping Arcade in Hazel Grove.

·         There were a number of houses on Shearwater Road that were set back from the road and residents in these properties had reported that their waste was not always being collected.

·         Concerns were expressed about the backlog of verge cutting.

RESOLVED – (1) That Kay Williams be thanked for her attendance.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide Councillors with details of the programme of planned maintenance for their ward during the upcoming year.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide Councillors with an update on the grass verge cutting programme.

To receive petitions from members of the public and community groups.

There were no petitions submitted.

To consider an application from the DWN Dance Group seeking funding toward the cost of a dance production for young people.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that the applicant had not attended the meeting.

RESOLVED – That consideration of the application be deferred and the Democratic Services Manager be requested to invite the applicant to a future meeting.

To consider an application from Hazel Grove Allotments seeking funding toward the cost of the provision of more accessible facilities for disabled users.

Mrs Joyce Davy of the Hazel Grove Allotment Association attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors about an application for Area Flexibility Funding to assist with the cost of making adaptions to the allotment site to make it more accessible to current and potential disabled users or those with mobility problems.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £930 to the Hazel Grove Allotment Association toward the cost of accessibility improvements at the site.

Representatives of the Friends of Torkington Park have indicated that they wish to address the Area Committee in relation to how the seclusion and privacy of the much loved Secret  Garden in Torkington Park Hazel Grove can be restored.

Mrs Gill Clarke (Chair) and Mr Richard King (Treasurer) of the Friends of Torkington Park attended the meeting to make a presentation on the concerns the Group had about the impact of the new residential car home that had been built adjacent to the Park’s Secret Garden and sought the Area Committee’s views about measures to restore the privacy of the Garden.

The presentation highlighted relevant legislative and policy requirements in relation to development affecting sites of historic and heritage value.

The Friends Group was concerned that the new development had negatively impacted the privacy of the Secret Garden, as well as on potential residents of the development, as there were a number of window that were overlooking the Garden. The Group was of the view that the plans and drawings supplied as part of the planning application did not reflect the final building. The Group reported that they had sought but not yet received any assurances from the Developers.

The Group put forward a number of suggestions for additional planting and features that would mitigate some of the impact of the new building. The Group recognised that altering the building now it had been constructed would not necessarily be feasible.

Councillors echoed the concerns of the Friends Group, but expressed concern about how the cost of any mitigation measures would be met. It was suggested that the Developer should be approached to fund any changes as the impact to the garden was not the doing of the Council nor the Friends Group so it would be inappropriate for them to meet the costs. It was also suggested that the potential that the Developer had exceeded their planning permission be investigated.

RESOLVED – (1) That Gill Clarke and Richard King of the Friends of Torkington Park be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate the Residential Care Home adjacent to Torkington Park to determine whether those elements of the building closest to the Secret Garden had been constructed in accordance with the planning permission.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

Development applications were submitted.

NOTE: Full details of the decisions including conditions and reasons for granting or refusing planning permission and imposing conditions are given in the schedule of plans. The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration is authorised to determine conditions and reasons and they are not therefore referred to in committee minutes unless the committee makes a specific decision on a condition or reason. In order to reduce printing costs and preserve natural resources, the schedule of plans is not reproduced within these minutes. A copy of the schedule of plans is available on the council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/planningdecisions. Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained from the Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Demolition of existing double garage, partitioning of existing residential dwelling plot with new detached dwelling in existing side garden.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In relation to plan no. 55003 for the demolition of existing double garage, partitioning of existing residential dwelling plot with new detached dwelling in existing side garden at 18 Ravenoak Road, Woodsmoor

a member of the public spoke against the application on behalf of local residents, and

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

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in view of the Area Committee’s concerns about the impact of the development on residential privacy and amenity, and concerns about access and parking at the site.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to invite the applicant to mark out the site with the dimensions of the proposed development for the benefit of the visiting team.

Non material amendment to alter patio door and kitchen window to rear of property

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 55207 for a non-material amendment to permission to alter a patio door and kitchen window to the rear of the property at 88 Woodsmoor Lane, Woodsmoor, it was

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to approve planning permission.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor.

The report summarises recent planning decisions and any outstanding planning appeals and enforcements in the area covered by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3219, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report summarises the outcome of the proposals to introduce traffic calming on Lisburne Lane in the form of road cushions and other associated measures. The proposals are associated with the development at the former Dialstone Centre and on Blackstone Fields, Offerton.

This item was deferred from the last meeting of the Area Committee.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the Proposals detailed in Schedule 1 of the report.

Officer contact: Graham Price, 0161 474 4893, graham.price@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Area Committee of the outcome of a consultation with residents on proposed traffic calming measures on Lisburne Lane, Offerton that it was proposed to be introduced as part of the planning agreements connected to permissions DC048027 and DC050476  for the sites at the former Dialstone Centre and Blackstone Fields. Consideration of the report had been deferred from the last meeting.

Councillors asked questions about the proposals and the planning conditions associated with them.

RESOLVED – That the proposed traffic calming scheme for Lisburne Lane, offerton, including zebra crossing, speed cushions and waiting restrictions as set out in Schedule 1 of the report, be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management.

To provide an update on the Area Committee delegated budget position at the start of April 2014 and to outline the allocation for 2014/15.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Andrew Suggett/ Megan Black, 0161 2425 / 1410.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget position at the start of April 2014 and outlining the allocation made for 2014/15.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to provide the Area Committee with details of recent Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management budget expenditure.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Area Committee is invited to consider an application from Hazel Grove Carnival Association to hold the annual Hazel Grove Carnival at Torkington Park on Saturday 19th July and will include an Arena for the Carnival Queens, Funfair, Fundraising and Trade Stalls, Live Dance and Catering Outlets.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer contact: Jane Bardsley, 0161 474 2279, jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an application from the Hazel Grove Carnival Association requesting permission to hold the Annual Carnival in Torkington Park between 18 and 20 July 2014.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Torkington Park between 18 and 20 July 2014 for the Hazel Grove Carnival be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Area Committee is invited to consider an event application from the Friends of Great Moor Park for the use of Great Moor Park on the 15th June 2014 for a ‘Big Lunch’ event.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer contact: Richard Booker, 0161 474 4829, Richard.booker@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an application from the Friends of Great Moor Park requesting permission to hold a ‘Big Lunch’ event in Great Moor Park on 15 June 2014.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Great Moor Park on 15 June 2014 for a ‘Big Lunch’ event be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Area Committee is invited to provide a nomination for the vacancy at St Philips RC Primary School (Conservative Group nomination).

Officer contact: Pam Dunham, 0161 474 3847, pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to provide a nomination for an LA Governor vacancy at St Philip’s RC Primary School, Offerton.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress made since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on the Area Flexibility Budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide:-

(i)            an update to the Ward Spokesperson on the provision of a road hump on Moorland Road;

(ii)          an update to the Area Committee on the proposed Park & Ride facility on Melford Road, Hazel Grove;

(iii)         an indication to the Ward Councillors of the installation date for the pedestrian refuge on Marple Road near Hillcrest Road.