Planning and Highways Committee

Read the Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March, 2007

Present:

• Councillor Lyons - In the Chair 
• Councillors Andrews, Carmody, Chohan, Dobson, Fender, Fisher, Flanagan, Grant, Keller, Morrison and Watson.

Also present:

• Councillors Clayton, Cooley, Firth, Leech, Ramsbottom and Swannick.

PH/07/15 Urgent Business

Decision

To consider a progress report of the Head of Planning relating to Land bounded by Whitworth Street, Venice Street, Rochdale Canal and Princess Street to enable the applications to be determined promptly.

PH/07/16 Minutes

Decision

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2007.

PH/07/17 Deferral

The Chair requested approval of the Committee for deferral of application 080749, concerning 7 Verdure Avenue, Brooklands Ward (PDF 63KB) to allow for a site visit.

Decision

To agree to defer the above application for the reason stated.

Decisions taken under Delegated Powers

PH/07/18 Land Bounded by Sharp Street/Ludgate Hill/Baptist Street and Rochdale Road, Ancoats and Clayton Ward

A report of the Head of Planning was submitted for the erection of a building (maximum 28 storeys) comprising 367 self-contained residential units (including 30 key worker units and 95 services apartments), business centre (Class B1) (450 sq.m), retail units (Classes A1/A2) (319 sq.m), ancillary amenity space/leisure facilities for residents and basement car parking for 150 cars. (081528)

Late representations were submitted in connection with the application.

Decision

To be minded to approve application 081528 subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement to part fund a possible proposed Controlled Parking Zone extension in the area, in accordance with the reasons put forward by the Head of Planning in his report and any late representations, and subject also to the conditions proposed in his report or in the late representations submitted. (Councillor Carmody declared an interest in this application and left the room during consideration of the item)

PH/07/14 Applications for permission for development

Reports of the Head of Planning were submitted in relation to various applications for planning permission. Late representations were also submitted in respect of applications 081983, 081609, 081602, 081818, 081974, 081134, 081133, 082135, 081631, 080661 and 081930. Further late representations were reported at the meeting.

The Committee heard representations made by objectors/applicants/local councillors in relation to applications 081983, 081245, 081609, 081612, 081818, 081136, 081134, 081133 and 081130

Decision

1. To approve the following applications,
in accordance with the reasons put forward by the Head of Planning in his report and any late representations, and subject also to the conditions proposed in his report or in the late representations submitted:

081983: 351-353 Wilmslow Road, Withington Ward*

Creation of a timber deck to side and rear, alterations to elevations including formation of a new door, installation of a retractable awning to side elevation and free standing awning at rear of property.

081818: Land to the side and rear of 7 & 9 Evans Close, Didsbury West Ward*

Retrospective application for the change of use of communal landscaping and three communal parking spaces to additional garden area for nos 7 & 9 Evans Close and erection of 2 metre high fencing along the north-eastern boundary of the rear garden of no 9 Evans Close.

081237: Ground of Binswood, 611 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury East Ward*

Conversion of existing building to form 8 apartments and erection of 5 storey residential wooden block to form 12 apartments involving horizontal timber boarding with associated car parking and landscaping.

081329: 168 Church Lane, Harpurhey Ward*

Erection of single storey building in association with existing church to be used as a children's classroom.

081631: Land at junction of Parkhouse Street and Greenside Street, Bradford Ward*

Re-development of site to form new bakery production unit with associated warehousing, offices, delivery and dispatch yards, lorry fuelling and wash areas and associated parking and landscaping.

080661: United Reform Church, 747 Stockport Road, Gorton South Ward.*

Demolition of existing Sunday School Building, closure of existing highway (Lamsholme Close) and conversion of existing church and erection of 4 storey extension to form 14 apartments, a worship space and community facilities, including café, Class B1 business starter units and community radio station.

2. To be Minded to Approve the following applications,
in accordance with the reasons put forward by the Head of Planning in his report or any late representations and subject to any conditions proposed in his report or any late representations, and to authorise the Head of Planning to issue an approval notice in each case once outstanding issues have been resolved to his satisfaction:

081609: The Lodge, Marie Louise Gardens, Holme Road, Didsbury West Ward*

Erection of a part single/part 2 storey side extension, creation of new accommodation in roof space involving the installation of dormer windows and new boundary treatment, involving wall and railings and creation of basement car parking. (Subject to the receipt of acceptable amended plans)

081612: Former depot, Marie Louise Gardens, Holme Road, Didsbury West Ward

Erection of part 2, part 3 storey six bedroomed detached dwellinghouse with basement parking. (Subject to receipt of acceptable amended plans)

081974: 7 Fairmile Drive, Didsbury East Ward*

Change of use to from dwelling to a respite care unit (Class C2 use) for people with learning difficulties and erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory.

082135: Land bounded by Eccleshall Street, Iredine Street, Bromlow Street, Ashton New Road and Ashton Canal, Ancoats and Clayton Ward *

Erection of 134 dwellings (comprising 84 houses and 50 apartments) and commercial floorspace (150sqm). Associated landscaping, car parking and boundary treatments and the creation of canalside walkway. (Councillor Carmody declared an interest in this application and left the room during consideration of the item)

081930: Disused Tennis Courts/Kickabout area, Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield Ward*

City Council development - Construction of a BMX track including the erection of a 2.4 metre high weld mesh fence and provision of 2 portable containers to form office and store, construction of a hardstanding area for spectator seating, creation of a new pedestrian footpath and associated landscaping, including remodelling of existing earth mound. Erection of 6 floodlighting columns.

3. To be Minded to Refuse (subject to an appeal against non determination)

application 081245 for a change of use at 17 Clifton Avenue, Withington Ward on the following grounds:

The proposal constitutes overdevelopment and would lead to an overly intensive use of the site which would be detrimental to the amenities of both the adjoining residents and the future residents of the building. The proposal would also lead to increased levels of activity, which would be detrimental to the amenity of neighbouring occupiers. Accordingly the proposal is contrary to policies H2.2 and DC5 of the Unitary Development Plan for the City of Manchester. (Councillor Fender abstaining).

4. To defer * applications 081134 in connection with land to the north and south of Ringway Road, Manchester Airport, Woodhouse Park Ward , and 081133 in connection with Listed Building Consent for the demolition of Old Thatch, Ringway Road, Woodhouse Park Ward , and request the Head of Planning to consider further whether the applicant should dismantle, relocate and rebuild Old Thatch. The status of the graveyard mentioned on site plans to be confirmed in any future applications.

PH/07/15 192 Peel Hall Road, Sharston Ward* 

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning in relation to application 081136 for the erection of first floor extension to side to form additional living accommodation.

The Committee heard representations in connection with the application.

Members indicated that they felt that the scheme was on balance approvable and in light of this they were minded to approve the application, and delegate authority to the Head of Planning to approve the application.

The Head of Planning agreed to report back later in the meeting with appropriate conditions to enable the Committee to approve the application. Subsequently, the Head of Planning reported back with reasons for approval and conditions which were endorsed by the Committee.

Decision

To approve application 081136 on the basis that the proposal is in keeping with the design of the existing house and a gap would exist between the house and common boundary with the neighbouring property, and it is considered that the extension would cause no demonstrable harm to either the visual or general amenity of the area and is therefore in accordance with policies DC1 and H2.2 of the Unitary Development Plan for the City of Manchester, and subject to conditions relating to a standard 3 year time limit for the execution of the development and to the approval of materials and specified plans.

(Councillors Andrews and Keller were not present at the meeting of the Wythenshawe Area Committee when they made their decision)

PH/07/16 Land Bounded by Whitworth Street, Venice Street, Rochdale Canal and Princess Street, City Centre Ward.

Application 081209 for the erection of three buildings comprising 180 residential units (Class C3, 16 storeys), offices (Class B1,7 storeys), apart hotel (Class C1, 13 storeys + plant), ground floor commercial uses (Class A1, A2 and A3), art gallery (class D1) and new public space with related access, servicing, basement car parking, landscaping and associated works. Application 081371 for Conservation Area Consent for demolition of remnant walls to car park in connection with redevelopment of the site.

The Head of Planning submitted a report updating the Committee on progress on the above applications and informing Members of his intention to approve the applications (subject to receiving a full set of revised drawings and consultation with the Chair) under powers delegated to him at the meeting of the planning and Highways Committee on 15 February 2007.

The City Solicitor's representative informed the Committee that since they last considered the applications an application had been made for the area to registered as a Village Green. Unless the area is registered as a Village Green, development may proceed and therefore the receipt of the application for registration need not affect the determination of the planning application

Some members of then Committee commented on the report.

As a result of a disturbance the Chair adjourned the meeting for ten minutes.

On resuming a decision was made to note the report.

Decision

To note the report. *

*denotes unanimous decision