Training centre to help vets build new career
ANEW training centre is set to help forces veterans land their first job in the construction industry.
Planners have given the go-ahead for the specialist hub, at Hillside Farm, in Romiley, despite previous applications being refused on the grounds of its green belt setting.
It will be run by Nomad Construction Training – a community interest company (CIC) – that has delivered a pilot programme to veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life.
Named Project RECCE, the four-week course has been shown to benefit the mental health of ex-services personnel after they leave their forces role.
A bungalow – which was built without permission by a previous applicant – will act as the main centre at the 200 sq m site.
The facility, to the north of Werneth Low Road. will also include a pond, seating areas and an outdoor forest school.
A ‘quiet, semi-rural’ setting was deemed essential, in order to rehabilitate those who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems.
Stockport council’s planning committee granted permission for the scheme by a majority vote on Thursday night.
Despite a recommendation to approve the scheme on the basis of ‘very special circumstances’, some members were unconvinced a nongreen belt site could not be found for the centre.
And there were concerns that the bungalow could be returned to residential use – already refused by the council and at appeal – once the initial five-year tenancy expires.
Coun Brian Bagnall said: “It doesn’t give me the impression this is the only place that it can be provided for. It doesn’t give me the confidence this is unique and the only location that it can be provided for.
“If and when this business is successful it will need to expand. If it needs to expand here, it will need to expand into the green built. And this application is bigger than the application that was refused by this committee and on appeal.”
He was supported by Coun Yvonne Guariento, who said it was ‘nonsense’ to suggest there were no suitable quiet sites elsewhere in the borough. She was also ‘very suspicious’ it could be a route to future residential use.
Coun Wendy Meikle said she appreciated their concerns, but ultimately came down in favour of the proposal.
She said: “We have these shameful statistics – 6,000 ex-armed forces are homeless and one in 20 of them are in prison – this is horrendous.
“The facilities that will be provided will be in the green belt open space and will be conducive to rehabilitation and helping with mental problems.
“My only concern is that after five years we might be stuck with this building. But we have to determine the planning application before us this evening, in that case I will be voting for the application.”
The committee voted to grant the application by eight votes to four.