6 apartments at Buckley House, Cheadle, Stockport

“The proposed building would be laid out with two apartments to each floor, separated by the staircase and circulation space. The building would be 2.5 storeys in height, with accommodation in the roofspace. The form of the building would have recesses and projections to the elevations, and the roof would have a step down of approximately 0.4m for the most part of its width. Two projecting gables are proposed to the front elevation, with two dormers and a recessed entryway.”

“The application site is located within a Predominantly Residential Area and is currently in use as a car park. The site is located within Flood Zone 3 (highest risk), and there are protected trees within the site and at its boundaries.”

“The site is bound to the east, west and south by residential development, and to the north there is car parking associated with the former office buildings which are now in residential use (Buckley House (previously Anglia House), and Abney House (previously Lombard house)).”

“It is noted that there is planning history associated with the neighbouring former office buildings at Anglia House (now Buckley House) and Lombard house (now Abney House). Anglia House is north of the application site and the relevant planning history for that site is as follows:”

“DC/078416 – External alterations to the existing building to include new and altered windows and doors, and new external finishing materials, in connection with the residential use of the building as approved under application reference DC/076818. Granted 11 th March 2021.”

“SMBC Highways – No objection subject to conditions requiring details of construction management, details of the construction of the access and parking, details of electric vehicle charging facilities and cycle storage.”

“Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) – Recommends refusal.”

“In response to the initial consultation, 7 objections were received on grounds which can be summarised as follows: a. Need for the proposed development b. Visual impacts as a result of the height of the building c. Scale and siting is inappropriate an unsympathetic to the mix of traditional demi-detached houses and bungalows with large gardens. d. Materials and design out of keeping with the local area e.”

“Following amendments to the proposal, a further consultation was issued and 9 objections were received. In addition to the ground for objection listed above, addition grounds raised can be summarised as follows: a. Comments regarding the advertisement of planning applications b. Queries the use of 2017 report data as noise/air pollution and crime have increased since 2020 c. Amendments do not mitigate previous objections d.”

“Members noted the location in Flood Zone 3 and that the proposed mitigation is a flood water storage tank. The size of the tank is determined by the footprint of the building and offsets the amount of water that the car parking area would otherwise take. Given that this is one of the few open areas available for flooding, Members asked where the water will go. The Planning Officer advised that flood water would go into the attenuation tank in a flood event.”

“Members debated the application. Members noted the need for housing across all shapes, sizes and tenures, however there is nervousness around this application due to flooding and because the drainage plan requested by United Utilities has not been provided. Members also commented on their confidence in the Environment Agency in light of recent flooding.”

“RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.”