Charity appeals against refusal of planning OK
ACHILDREN’S charity has appealed against Stockport council’s ‘grossly unfair’ decision to refuse permission for a £45m redevelopment.
The Seashell Trust, which provides education and support for children and young adults with complex disabilities, had wanted to transform its school and campus in Cheadle Hulme.
But a council committee refused its planning application earlier this year as it was unhappy the proposals involved the sale of green belt land for 325 new homes.
The charity was left angered by the decision and now says it has submitted an appeal to the Secretary of State to ‘fight for the future of its students’.
Mark Geraghty, chief executive and principal of the school on Stanley Road, said: “It was a huge blow having the application refused and we were very disappointed.
“Especially as the councillors ignored the advice of their own professional, qualified planning officers.
“We considered our options and we quickly realised that we had no choice but to appeal against the decision.
“As anyone who has cared for someone with special needs will understand, these children and young adults deserve to have someone in their corner and we believe this decision is wrong and grossly unfair and we intend to fight it on their behalf.”
The application was refused because ‘special circumstances’ must apply before development on green belt land is sanctioned.
But the planning committee ruled this was not the case, much to the Seashell Trust’s disbelief, as the homes that would be built did not have a sufficient quota of affordable housing.
Mr Geraghty added: “Stockport council will now have defend their decision, which will cost them money they really didn’t need to spend.
“We spent over two years preparing our application, we answered every question asked of us and we believe we have clearly demonstrated very special circumstances.”
A Stockport council spokesman said: “We’re aware of an appeal from the Seashell Trust regarding a recent planning decision. This will now be heard through the appropriate appeals process.”
‘It was a huge blow having the application refused’