108 flats and shops at Breeden House Edleston Road, Crewe

What was proposed

The application proposed remodelling and extending two buildings into a seven-storey mixed-use development with 108 flats, shops and associated facilities.

“This is an application for full planning permission for the redevelopment of the existing three storey building fronting Edleston Road and High Street to a proposed seven storey building comprising 9no. ground floor retail units fronting Edleston Road and a total of 108 residential apartments, offering a mixture of 1 bedroom (some are proposed as studios) an 2 bedroom flats across the proposed seven storeys.”

“There were originally 113 residential apartments proposed, but following revisions to the scheme this has been reduced. On the ground floor, 11 flats are proposed. At the first and second floors, 23 and 20 flats are proposed respectively. At the third and fourth floors, 19 and 17 flats are proposed. At the fifth floor 8 flats are proposed and at the sixth floor six flats are proposed, with a proposed 4 flats at the top storey seventh floor.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier approvals included office-to-residential changes, advertisement consents, an ATM, refurbishment and shop-front alterations.

“16/2855N Prior approval for a proposed change of use of a building from office use (Class B1a) to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) Approval Not Required 02/AUG/2016”

“P98/0774 Alterations to shop front. Approved 28/OCT/1998”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was sustainable, the housing benefits were significant, and effects on heritage, highways, amenity and the environment were acceptable or could be conditioned.

“The proposed development would cause less than substantial harm to the setting of the nearby designated heritage asset, the Grade II Christadelphian Hall at 248 Edleston Road. In accordance with chapter 16 of the NPPF this harm is considered to be justified by the public benefits of the additional 108 dwellings to be added to the housing stock in a brownfield, sustainable location; as well as the redevelopment of this part of Crewe in line with the objectives of the…”

“The proposal has been assessed by highways officers as having an acceptable impact on the highway network. The proposal is considered to offer an acceptable parking arrangement taking into account the urban location and locational sustainability with the relative availability and close proximity of public transport.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Most consultees raised no objection or supported the scheme, while the town council and residents raised concerns about waste, parking, landscaping, height, traffic, noise and viability.

“Crewe Town Council – This application was considered by Crewe Town Council Planning and Environment Committee when it met 16.3.26. Members note the amendments to proposals however, concerns remain regarding waste management, parking and landscaping:”

“6no. further letters of representation have been received from members of the public. The representations are made on the basis of the following issues: • Highway safety and traffic impacts. • Support proposal due to redevelopment of derelict site and new town centre residents • insufficient parking provision and potential on-street parking pressures • excessive height, scale and overbearing impact on the surrounding area.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The agent attended the meeting and spoke about the application.

The committee vote

The committee approved the application unanimously.

“That for the reasons set out in the report and update report the applicant be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

The application was approved for the stated reasons and subject to the report’s conditions, an artwork mural condition and correction of a floor-plan labelling error.

“3-year time limit 2. Approved Plans adherence 3. Materials as application unless otherwise varied by conditions of this permission 4. Mitigation recommended in the acoustic report to be implemented in full prior to occupation and maintained 5. Prior to occupation, details of gas fired boilers to be submitted. 6. Prior to occupation, a residents sustainable travel pack shall be submitted to and approved by the LPA 7.”

Minutes