Bus cut concern as club flats plan gets go-ahead
QUESTIONS have been raised over the implications reducing the 130 bus service will have on building new homes.
Cheshire East Council planners approved proposals to convert the former New Liberal Club, on Boden Street, Macclesfield, into nine one-bed apartments.
Applicant Aneto Properties say just two parking spaces will be provided, below the council’s standard, but this is fine as the ‘highly sustainable’ location reduces the need for cars.
But queries have been raised as to whether this is the case and over the effect the development will have on parking in the area.
One existing Boden Street resident wrote to the council to say that:
“With the impending cessation of the Arriva 130 service in mind, at what point will the planning department cease to waive the requirement for developments to provide suitable parking provision on the grounds that ‘adequate public transport is available’.”
Arriva axed the 130 service from Macclesfield at the end of last month with falling passenger numbers blamed for making the route ‘not commercially viable’.
It was taken over by D&G but goes only as far as Handforth and not to Didsbury, which has caused complaints.
The new company says 75 per cent of passengers use only this part of the route.
The letter, which was the only response from a member of the public, also states vehicles associated with the development would ‘completely oversubscribe’ the existing residents’ parking scheme.
The council disagreed with a planners report saying: “The very sustainable town centre location means that there is good access to both public transport and car parking.
”Due to the town centre location of the site, located close to the railway station and local bus services, a relaxation of the normal standards is acceptable.”
Permission had been given to Summit Living to turn the building into six one-bed apartments in 2017.
But the site has remained empty and new applicant Aneto returned with a successful bid for nine.
Units would be split equally between the club’s three storeys with the basement used for storage.
A report by consultants Emery Planning, submitted with the new application, says: “The proposal for conversion to create nine apartments would make efficient use of an existing building on previously developed land within a highly sustainable location. “There would also be no harm to the amenity of neighbouring properties; indeed, there would be a positive benefit.”