Go-ahead for homes on glass firm site
NEW homes can be built at the former Cheshire Windows and Glass site despite proposals having less parking spaces than required.
Cheshire East Council approved a planning application from Nook and Key Holdings for 11 terraced houses at Armitt Street, in Macclesfield town centre.
The homes will be two and three storeys with three bedrooms and bring back into use a vacant brownfield site.
But the plans provide 17 parking spaces compared to the council’s guidelines of 22 for a development of this size.
As reported on page 6 of this week’s Express the council hopes to combat problems caused by pavement parking by using the planning process for housing developments.
Macclesfield Town Council objected to the application saying ‘there was nowhere near enough’ parking and that cars would be left ‘dangerously near a junction’.
However, two previous outline applications have been approved at the site, the second of which had 15 parking spaces for 10 three-bed homes.
Council planners said the latest proposals, which were to renew approval before it expired and turn it into full planning permission, were an improvement.
A report said: “Although the current proposal would be below guideline provision, as the existing permission could (subject to reserved matters approval) still be implemented with parking provision slightly further below standard, it is not considered that refusal of the current scheme would be justified on these grounds.
”The application site is in a sustainable location within walking distance of town centre facilities and employment, and in close proximity to a range of means of public transport.”
Existing residents near the site, which was last used as offices and storage for Cheshire Windows and Glass, also flagged up concerns about traffic congestion and loss of privacy.
It is accepted the area needs redevelopment and the new homes would have small front gardens, a rear courtyard and roof terraces.
As part of the development around £50,000 will be given to improve nearby parks and recreation facilities.
Council planner Tom Hiles concluded the application was acceptable across all planning matters.
The site is known as Hatton Street Works and in the 1800s was home to a silk dyeing factory.
As part of the planning application a report by Halliday Meacham Architects said: “The development proposals will provide a high quality residential development providing 11 new homes. “The proposals provide a place with its own identity whist respecting the principles of the local vernacular and built form.”