Retirement homes complex gets the go-ahead
RESIDENTS spoke out against proposals for a large retirement homes complex branded ‘gross overdevelopment’, but the scheme has been given the go-ahead.
A Cheshire East Council meeting approved plans from Symphony Park Holdings for 139 flats for elderly people at Heatherley Woods, Alderley Park.
The plans were a revised version of those previously turned down with 20 fewer homes and a storey taken off most buildings.
But many residents in the area still objected and Nicky Juniper told the meeting even this lower number would ‘far exceed’ the number of homes the area had originally been earmarked for.
She said: “The revised plans fail to respect the concerns of neighbours. It is gross overdevelopment.”
Susanne Clarke said the land had originally had plans for a football pitch and having so many homes instead would add to traffic, parking and light pollution with planted trees taking years to grow so not a sufficient barrier.
She added: “Similar development are locally standing empty so this is not needed.”
Nether Alderley and Over Alderley parish councils both objected to the plans, the former previously describing them as ‘brutal’ and a ‘very intrusive development.’
But Medicines Discovery Catapult, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Bruntwood SciTech were among those to support the plans, which would help fund work at Alderley Park.
The buildings at the site, formerly used for AstraZeneca warehouses, would be between two and six storeys.
It was said that an increase in residents in the area would put pressure on services such a GPs, but also pointed out that there would be primary healthcare facilities on site.
Cheshire East’s strategic planning committee approved the application by nine votes to three.
Macclesfield councillor Nick Mannion, a committee member, said: “I see how far it has come from the previous application, this is a brownfield site in a greenbelt setting.
“The principle of development at this site has clearly been established, the applicant has significantly modified the proposal with a reduction in height and mass.”
Gawsworth councillor Lesley Smetham also supported the application saying: “I am very much in favour, it (this type of accommodation) is very much needed.”
She added that care must be taken to ensure the lighting does not disturb residents.
It was said the company offered to make a £1m contribution to affordable housing should planning permission be given.