Flexible employment units at Land At Ashworth Lane And Stockport Road, Hattersley

What was proposed

The application sought to vary Condition 31 so Unit C could use Class E, B8 and vehicle-repair-only B2 uses.

“The demolition of existing structures and erection of a mixed-use development comprising: a Foodstore (Class E); a drive through coffee shop (Class E); a terrace of eight divisible employment units for flexible use within Use Classes E(g), B8 and B2 (vehicle repair garage only); a Use Class Sui Generis electric vehicle charging hub; and associated site works including land re-profiling, vehicular access, car parking, servicing areas, hard and soft landscaping, public realm…”

“Permission is sought to vary the condition to Unit C being to open Use Class E, with no alteration to the proposed Use Class B8 and B2 elements (with any B2 use limited to vehicle repairs/garage only). This will mean that a more flexible ranges of occupation of the units can be achieved within the same use class beyond the previous restriction, including retail shops, financial and professional services, indoor sport and recreation and medical services.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 2.26-hectare site is largely vacant land beside Stockport Road and Ashworth Lane, near established commercial uses.

“The proposal relates to the redevelopment of previously largely vacant land to the east of Stockport Road (A560), Hattersley. The site covers an area of 2.26ha and is roughly square in shape. The site is bounded by Stockport Road, Ashworth Lane (north) and to the south is Chain Bar Lane to the east of the site is an area of undeveloped land which now falls within the updated Green Belt boundary.”

“There are established commercial uses directly to the north of the site on the opposite side of Ashworth Lane. This includes The Hub, Hattersley Library, Tesco food store and petrol station. Several further commercial uses are located around 300 metres to the north-west of the site, including a McDonald’s drive though, a Premier Inn hotel, and pub.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and construction

Earlier permissions approved mixed-use redevelopment, and the approved development was under construction when this application was considered.

“25/00828/MATCH – Non-material amendment to planning application 23/01063/FUL. Amendment to change the description that the employment terrace references the full spectrum of Class E Uses, rather than just Class E(g). Approved 24/10/2025.”

“23/01063/FUL – The demolition of existing structures and erection of a mixed-use development comprising: a Foodstore (Class E); a drive through coffee shop (Class E); a terrace of eight divisible employment units for flexible use within Use Classes E(g), B8 and B2 (vehicle repair garage only); a Use Class Sui Generis electric vehicle charging hub; and associated site works including land re-profiling, vehicular access, car parking, servicing areas, hard and soft…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the change acceptable because it would improve Unit C’s marketability and occupancy without changing the approved development or adding impacts.

“The change does not alter the scale or nature of the approved development The proposal relates only to amending the wording of a condition to broaden the use of Unit C. No physical changes are proposed, and the approved layout, massing, and site-wide uses remain unchanged. The development would continue to function as originally assessed.”

“The principle of development on this site has already been firmly established through the extant permission granted in April 2024, and the scheme is now under construction. The proposed amendment seeks only to vary the wording of Condition 31 to allow a broader range of Class E uses within Unit C, following the approval of a separate Section 96A application to amend the description of development.”

Officer report

Public response

The application was advertised as a major development, and no letters of representation had been received.

“In accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 and the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement the application has been advertised as a major development by display of a site notice and advertisement in the local press. The consultation period expires on 26 th March 2026.”

“No letters of representation have been received to the application to date.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers took part in the consideration of the application.

The committee decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions.

“Decision RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

Minutes