Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2025.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28January 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

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

The Chair announced that members of the Area Committee had sent a co-signed letter to Stepping Hill NHS Trust requesting them to expedite the Travel Plan for the hospital. The Chair reported that a local MP had also engaged with Stepping Hill Hospital in an attempt to resolve the Travel Plan issue.

The Chair reported that members of the Area Committee had met with representatives of the Ukrainian community to demonstrate support for Ukraine on the anniversary of the Russian invasion.

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance reported that a representative of Greater Manchester Police had been unable to attend the meeting, and a written update had not been received for circulation in advance of the meeting.

It was reported that at the meeting of Communities and Transport Scrutiny Committee which took place on 3 March 2025, Chief Superintendent Hughes had stated that in the coming municipal year a representative of the neighbourhood policing team would be in attendance at Area Committees.

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.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters in the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

One public question was submitted relating to the Stepping Hill Travel Plan.

Members reported that the hospital, in conjunction with the council’s planning department, were working to maximise the amount of parking on site at the hospital.

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

No petitions were submitted.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation has indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application received from Pixies Cheer for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £571.48 towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

Emma Riley and Alex Shaw attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Pixies Cheer for a grant of £571.48 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Pixies Cheer for a grant of £571.48 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

To consider an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £235.28 towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

Phillip Guest attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of the Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £235.28 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £235.28 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out the objections made in relation to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to introduce waiting/loading restrictions on Dialstone Lane, Stockport for the Bus Pinch Point Scheme.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider and comment upon the objection received and recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services approves that the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) be made as originally advertised.

Officer contact: Zoe Allen at zoe.allen@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the objections made in relation to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to introduce waiting/loading restrictions on Dialstone Lane, Stockport for the Bus Pinch Point Scheme.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members thanked officers for the briefing which provided information on the benefits of this scheme.

·         Members commented that the benefits would favour those passing through the Offerton ward, rather than residents of the ward, some of whom might be negatively affected by the proposed scheme. In particular, residents on the eastern side of Dialstone Lane had expressed concern about how they would be affected.

·         Members would continue to campaign for the permit parking scheme on Dialstone Lane, which might require an exception to the permit parking policy.

·         It was reported that residents permit parking did not form part of this scheme, but that should this scheme go ahead that would not prohibit future consideration of a residents permit scheme.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the objections received, the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be recommended to make the orders as advertised.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out the findings of a consultation exercise and to seek approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) 'No Waiting Mon – Fri 8.00am – 9.30am & 2.00pm – 3.30pm (Single Yellow Line).

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) set out in Appendix A and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, the order can be made.

Officer contact: Graham O’Connor at graham.oconnor@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise and seeking approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (No Waiting Mon – Fri 8.00am – 9.30am & 2.00pm – 3.30pm (Single Yellow Line)) on the Fairway and Dovedale Road, Offerton.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members expressed concern about the traffic regulation orders applying year-round and requested further consideration be given to applying the orders in term-time only, given that parking was problematic during term-time only.

·         The restrictions were likely to be onerous on residents should they be applied year-round.

·         Officers were requested to provide ward members with further detail on the extent and timing of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order and enforcement.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred pending further detail being provided to the ward councillors relating to the extent and timing of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order and enforcement.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out a request approve a loading restriction on part of School Street in Hazel Grove.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services gives approval to that element within 15 metres of a Strategic Route. Subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the following orders can be made:

Revoke No Waiting at Any Time

School Street, Hazel Grove

North West side from the South Western kerb line of London Road (A6) for a distance of 47 metres in a South Westerly direction.

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time & No Loading Monday to Friday 7.30 – 9.30am & 4.00 – 6.00pm:

School Street, Hazel Grove

North West side from the South Western kerb line of London Road (A6) for a distance of 47 metres in a South Westerly direction.

Officer contact: Max Townsend on 07527 387 146 or by email at

max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a request to approve a loading restriction on part of School Street in Hazel Grove.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members stated that this scheme had been requested as a result of concerns related to parking close to the MacDonalds restaurant, which had resulted in a blocking of the junction causing problems for drivers attempting to enter or leave the area.

·         Although parking was restricted, loading was allowed for five minute periods. Delivery drivers collecting food from MacDonalds were using that space for short periods of time.

·         In the light of the issues caused, members had requested that ‘no loading’ restrictions be added to the existing TRO on a short section of School Street in order to reduce the amount of cars waiting on that junction.

·         A similar scheme adjacent to the MacDonalds at Grand Central on the A6 had alleviated the same problem.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to that the legal advertising of that extent of the Traffic Regulation Order scheme on School Street, Hazel Grove that fell within the purview of this area committee and as set out in the report and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, that the orders be made at a cost of £950, to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove ward allocation).

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of that the element of the scheme that fell within 15 metres of a Strategic Route.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

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

A development application was 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. Deputy Chief Executive 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/planning. Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Hybrid planning application comprising:

a) Application for full planning permission for the provision of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and extensions and enhancements to the club house; and

b) Application for outline planning permission for the erection of:

- up to 60 new residential homes including 10% all affordable supported housing (Use Class C3);

- a residential care facility (Use Class C2), for up to 75 beds; and

- an extra care facility (age restricted 55+ years) (Use Class C3) for 70 all affordable units;

together with landscaping and open space, with all matters reserved.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission subject to the imposition of conditions and the completion of a S106 agreement.

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

In respect of plan number DC093768 for hybrid planning application comprising:

a) Application for full planning permission for the provision of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and extensions and enhancements to the club house; and

b) Application for outline planning permission for the erection of:

- up to 60 new residential homes including 10% all affordable supported housing (Use Class C3);

- a residential care facility (Use Class C2), for up to 75 beds; and

- an extra care facility (age restricted 55+ years) (Use Class C3) for 70 all affordable units; together with landscaping and open space, with all matters reserved, at Stockport Rugby Union Football Club to South of Jacksons Lane, Hazel Grove, Stockport,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

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

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) (8 for) That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in light of the Area Committee’s concerns regarding drainage of the site and potential flooding, the impact on greenbelt including potential issues around the transfer of microplastics and the impact on green chain, the potential impact on the openness and character of the area and the potential increase in traffic.

(2) (4 for, 2 against, 1 abstention) That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to refuse planning permission on the grounds of the potential harm to the landscape, character and area and that the special circumstances applying to developments on greenbelt do not outweigh the potential benefits of the proposed development.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director of Governance.

The report summarises recent appeal decisions; lists current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Governance.

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 and ward discretionary budget funding (approved only). 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: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk   

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and detailing the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.