Plan for chimneys near nursery has 100+ objections
APLAN by a drug development company for two 14m chimneys near a children’s nursery has attracted more than 100 objections from residents and fears of pollution.
Orbit Investments has applied for planning permission for the development at Peakside House on the Tytherington Business Park.
The proposals are on behalf of a life-sciences client and also include associated plant equipment, condenser and cylinder storage compounds, screening and car park alterations.
Although it is said occupying the currently empty premises would bring 100 jobs, a total of 116 residents have lodged objections.
This has prompted Tytherington councillor David Edwardes to call in the application, so it will be decided by a Cheshire East Council planning committee this week.
A report submitted with the application says the development would have fume extraction systems that comply with regulations and council planners have recommended it for approval.
Coun Edwardes said: “I and many residents are concerned about what will be emitted from the chimneys. Will there be odours and noxious substances?
“There is a playground and a nursery school nearby. The chimneys
are totally out of keeping with the general character of the business park.
“There is mention of loss of parking spaces.
“How many spaces and will it still meet the council criteria?”
Resident objections also included insufficient screening between the development and nearby houses, noise fears, parking and traffic problems caused by increased cars and that the ‘eyesore’ chimneys would be out of character.
But there was one letter of support welcoming the addition of a
high quality business and employment.
In assessing the application ahead of the meeting, council planners said the objections had been ‘acknowledged and considered’.
A report for the committee stated that the proposals met parking and highway policies and screening would mitigate any visual impact in a largely commercial area. It said: “The purpose of the proposed chimneys would be for the intermittent safe extraction of minor chemical side products from 100 internal fume cupboards
within the building. No harmful impacts are deemed to be generated by the proposals with regard to design, amenity, ecology, air quality, odour, operational noise, vibration, dust or highways safety, subject to the imposition of conditions where necessary.
“Tytherington Business Park is emerging as a focal point for businesses within the pharmaceutical research and drug discovery industry and this development represents safe and precautionary additions to a vacant building.”
The meeting will take place at Macclesfield Town Hall today (Wednesday, December 6).