New bid to turn office block into flats
PLANNERS will decide whether a ‘car-free’ housing development can go ahead amid fears it would add to problems with ‘abysmal and illegal’ parking in the area.
Harry Edwards and Vinny Taylor have made several bids to convert office block Marburae House, on Athey Street, Macclesfield, into flats.
Their latest application will go before a Cheshire East Council northern area planning committee on Wednesday.
A previous one for six flats was refused earlier this year with complaints over lack of parking and overdevelopment.
This time the application is for four flats but the size of the homes mean the development would still house 14 residents leading to arguments the same objections apply.
Macclesfield central councillor Liz
Braithwaite has objected saying other recent developments in the area include parking.
She said: “This is still overdevelopment of a small site and likely to lead to a worsening of parking problems on Athey Street and surrounding streets.
“There are few, if any, bus services in the evening and none on Sundays. Therefore the aim of car free tenants is unlikely and not sustainable, and at odds with other developments in the immediate area.”
One resident also complained saying: “Parking is already absolutely abysmal around this area to add to it would be insanity.
“There is already daily illegal parking near the convenience shop and the school.
“I cant get parked when i get home from work to want more flats
here is just laughable.”
A report submitted with the application refutes both these
reasons for refusal.
It states: “The revised proposals have reduced the number of apartments within the building in response to the committee member’s comments and previous reason for refusal of overdevelopment. The development is being promoted as a car-free development due to its central location within Macclesfield town centre and the wealth of shops, services and public transport available in the immediate locality.
“On-road parking is currently used by staff and visitors to the building under its current use.
“It is proposed that these spaces would be used by future residents.”