New fears over town’s ‘transient’ population
CONCERNS have been raised that Stockport’s population is becoming too ‘transient’ as plans for 30 bedsits look set to gain approval.
A central area committee meeting heard the trend for this type of accommodation attracts young professionals who then move on rather than families who put down roots.
The committee heard two planning applications, the first to convert former nightclub Sui Generis, on Wellington Road South, into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) with 20 bedrooms.
Another was to turn a former office block on nearby Churchgate, Stockport centre, into another HMO with 10 bedrooms. It has been empty for five years.
Both will have a site visit ahead of a decision by a planning committee on July 28, but have been recommended for approval by council officers.
Councillor Sheila Bailey told the area committee: “There’s a shortage of housing in Stockport, predominantly for young families. I have concerns, the kind of accommodation we want is for permanent residents.
“There is (also) a passing population, but this accommodation lends itself to people staying a short space of time and moving on, what is really needed is accommodation where people can put down roots.
“I wonder if we are creating a transient population that is not going to be part of the community but stop off before moving elsewhere. There is an increased number of these applications.”
The former nightclub is a listed building that has fallen into disrepair and has had parts removed because of structural damage.
It was said air quality was poor at the site because of the nearby M60 and A6 so mitigation measures - such as double glazing - would need to be looked at.
Noah Foster, the applicant, said: “It is a dilapidated property. We want to bring it back to use.”
A site visit will take place to assess the proposal’s impact on the area.
VM Residential is the applicant at Churchgate, where a site visit will look at parking issues.
Mike Stenhouse, from the company, said: “There’s high demand from skilled, employable people for this type of housing. It is a way to bring people to an area, they then start to enjoy their jobs, get a social circle and put down roots.”