Care home plan is ‘like Strangeways’
PLANS for a new 68-bed care home on the site of an old pub have been slammed by a neighbour who says it will be ‘like something out of Strangeways.’
Margaret Courtney, who lives on Cuthbert Road, Cheadle, with husband David, says the proposed development, which was discussed at the Cheadle Area Committee meeting last Tuesday (November 6), will also block light to her solar panels and bring down the value of her property. The 69-year old retiree objects to the application from New Care (Cheadle) Limited to demolish the Queens Arms pub on Stockport Road and construct a new care home behind her house, which has been referred to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee for a site visit on November 19, before a final decision is made on November 22.
She said: “The main concern for us is the height of this development. Two or three properties will have this high, hideous, brick wall, like something out of Strangeways. I’ve got hot water solar panels installed on my roof and I don’t know whether they will work.”
New Care did not send a representative to the meeting on Tuesday, which one councillor at the meeting described as ‘absolutely staggering.’
The company says that the building meets the council’s guidelines in terms of height, scale, mass, layout and proximity to boundaries and other buildings, and is ‘entirely appropriate’ for the location. Margaret, who has lived on Cuthbert Road since 2004, is also worried that the proposed 27 car parking spaces will not be sufficient for the staff – 28 per day and nine at night – as well as visitors.
“They say they have the required amount of car parking spaces and staff are going to ride bicycles to work, but that’s just not realistic,” she said.
However New Care say that they have ‘worked with professional advisors and the council’s highways team to ensure the development has the right amount of parking spaces.’
A total of 15 objections were lodged against the planning application online.
After the meeting, CEO at New Care Chris McGoff said: “Whilst it is disappointing that neighbours are objecting to this much needed new care facility that will serve the local community, it is not entirely unexpected.
“We will review the scheme with the planning team and answer any further relevant planning questions that the Stockport professionals may have.”