Homes in ‘perfect spot’ will see hotel bulldozed
AFORMER hotel ‘in the heart’ of a village is to be knocked down to make way for new housing.
Councillors have given the go-ahead for eight new homes to be built at the site of the long-vacant Beechwood Guest House, in Heald Green.
The houses will be 2.5-storey, with each boasting three bedrooms and a home office. The development also includes parking space for 15 cars.
Two homes will face on to Finney Lane, with the others set back on the half acre plot.
The scheme was scaled down following talks between applicant Beluga Consultants Ltd and the council, having initially consisted of nine four-bed properties.
However there were five public objections to the application, with complaints ranging from concerns over the loss of trees on the site, to highway safety, privacy and the size of the new houses.
Andrew Jalali, of agent Mosaic Town Planning, spoke in favour of the application at a meeting of the
Cheadle area committee.
Addressing councillors he noted that there was a shortfall of housing in Stockport, with the town hall unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
He added: “The current policy position therefore indicates a new-found urgency to make efficient use of brownfield sites.
“Stockport council’s exit from the GMSF [Greater Manchester Spatial Framework] has left the borough at risk of losing open greenfield sites to the presumption in favour of sustainable development.”
He added that the scheme would play a part in addressing Stockport’s ‘consistent under-delivery’ of housing, at a location ‘in walking distance of public transport, shops and services.’
Mr Jalali also told the meeting that the ‘modern’ design of the new homes would ‘compliment’ existing properties, while an improved landscaping scheme would seek to address residents’ concerns over the loss of trees at the site.
Heald Green councillor Adrian Nottingham said he would be voting for the scheme, but stressed it would need to be of ‘high quality.’
“I think this kind of application does offer a tension, to be honest,” he said.
“On one level I absolutely welcome the introduction of homes in a location that’s so sustainable – it really couldn’t be a better location for housing in terms of its access to local amenities and transport.
“It really is the kind of development we need to see in our local centres.”
But he said there were also other factors to consider.
“The tension, of course, is it brings change in a very, very visible place. It’s right in the middle – it will be seen, you can’t avoid it.
“For that reason I think it’s really important that, when we do see additional housing, that there’s a quality to that additional housing and the space around the housing.”
He added: “It really is a real need to see this as a quality development right in the heart of our village in Heald Green.”
His comments were echoed by councillors Carole McCann and David Meller.
The committee voted unanimously in favour of granting planning permission for the application.