Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 November 2016 were approved as a correct record.

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

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

No declarations were made.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair announced that earlier in the day she had attended the formal launch of the Viaduct Housing Partnership between the Council and Stockport Homes at the Cross Keys site, Adswood Road, Cheadle Hulme where 14 modular homes will be the first scheme completed.  The Chair extended her thanks and congratulations to all those who had contributed to getting the Partnership to this point.

To consider a presentation in relation to the Housing White Paper which aims to set out the government's plans to reform the housing market and boost the supply of new homes in England.

Caroline Simpson (Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration) attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the Housing White Paper which aimed to set out the government's plans to reform the housing market and boost the supply of new homes in England.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·        The deliverability of truly affordable housing within Stockport was queried.

·        It was important that local communities fully understood the role of neighbourhood plans and these could not be used as a mechanism  to reduce the potential for development within a particular locality.  Neighbourhood Plans needed to reflect and complement  the wider Local Plan in order to deliver benefits for local communities.

·        Any increase in planning fees would e used to enhance capacity within the planning department.

·        There were proposals within the White Paper to simplify compulsory purchase orders which was welcomed.  It was commented that the authority would like to have option to intervene at an earlier stage which was currently difficult to achieve due to the evidence base that was currently required to pursue a CPO.

·        It was important that the Council submitted its own response to the consultation on the Housing White Paper in addition to any that was being co-ordinated at a Greater Manchester level.      

RESOLVED – (1) That Caroline Simpson be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to circulate details of the Council’s proposed response to the consultation on the Housing White Paper to members of the Commission in advance of its submission.

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

The report sets out the overall approach the Council wishes to adopt with regard to brownfield sites, the nature of the challenges presented, the current position in relation to brownfield sites and a plan to develop a proactive approach over the coming months that will form the basis for a long term Brownfield First Development Programme.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on 0161 218 1635 or email: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the overall approach the Council wished to adopt with regard to brownfield sites, the nature of the challenges presented, the current position in relation to brownfield sites and a plan to develop a proactive approach over the coming months that would form the basis for a long term Brownfield First Development Programme.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·        A discussion took place around parking provision for high density developments within town centres and how demand for parking could be more effectively managed.

·        It was important to recognise that the Council’s housing requirement could not be met through the delivery of housing on brownfield sites alone; however, any additional housing delivered on brownfield sites would alleviate the pressure on the need for development in the green belt.

·        There were difficulties in bringing brownfield sites back into use, including the often expensive cost of remediation.  It was confirmed that there was currently no additional funding available to the Council to assist with this.

·        It was commented that vacant land within developed areas was often highly valued as amenity space by local residents.

·        There was a need to balance the need to increase development within the Borough against providing quality homes for future residents whilst ensuring that Stockport remained an attractive place to live and work.

·        Any increase in development needed to be matched y high quality transportation infrastructure.

·        It was noted that the report would be submitted to the next round of Area Committees for their consideration.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Finance (Stockport Homes).

The report provides an update to the commission regarding progress in relation to the new build programme.

The Commission is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Steve Leonard on 0161 474 3460 or email: steve.leonard@stockporthomes.org

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Director of Finance (Stockport Homes) providing  an update to the Commission regarding progress in relation to the new build programme.

The following comments were made\ issues raised:-

·        With regard to the proposal to refurbish a former care home on Lea Road in the centre of Heaton Moor to provide 10 flats, the size of the living accommodation within the individual flats was queried and whether the basement would be used to provide accommodation.  

·        The use of modular construction for new build accommodation was broadly welcomed, however there were difficulties in manufacturers having sufficient scale and throughput to make such construction methods financially viable. 

·        Stockport Homes and the Council continued to actively engage with  housing providers with a small housing interest in the Borough to bring their stock within Council ownership.

·        It was clarified that the proposed development of 145 homes on Hempshaw Lane in Offerton was on land currently under occupied by industrial units.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details a number of sites identified by the Stockport Property Alliance within the Council’s portfolio that are suitable for residential development. 

The Commission is recommended to note the report and progress to date.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of sites identified by the Stockport Property Alliance within the Council’s portfolio that were suitable for residential development.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To agree the dates of future meetings of the Commission.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Commission be held on Wednesday, 14 June 2017.