No more Yesterdays as housing plan gets approval

The days are numbered for a former nightclub building which has been vacant for the past 12 years and become an eyesore, having suffered from vandalism and neglect.

Members of the Northern Planning Committee have approved plans to demolish the Victoria villa, most recently used as Yesterdays nightclub but originally a small hotel, and replace it with a residential development.

MCR Property Group will replace it with 12 dwellings, 4 of which will be affordable units.

The proposal was identified as an inappropriate form of development, which is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt, but it was approved because there were deemed to be very special circumstances which outweigh the potential harm to the Green Belt.

The benefits include providing much needed affordable housing in Alderley Edge, making effective use of a previously developed site, removing the existing unsociable use of the nightclub and improving the appearance of the vacant site.

Councillor Craig Browne spoke at the Northern Planning Committee Meeting saying "An application of this kind is always likely to divide opinion, owing to the contemporary nature of its design. Although I'm not personally a fan of the design, I'm not going to speak against this proposal for the following reasons:

- the site has been derelict since 2004, when it was last used as a nightclub and is clearly in need of redevelopment;

- there has become a problem with anti-social behaviour, as youths congregate at the site during the hours of darkness;

- there is a need for more bungalows in Alderley Edge, to meet the needs of an ageing population (24% of residents are aged 65 years+);

- there is a desperate need for affordable housing provision, as currently young people who have grown up in the village are forced to leave on reaching adulthood;

- the revised plans show that the original proposal for a gated community has been removed (which is something the Parish Council had asked for).

"I am therefore prepared to issue a cautious welcome to the Officer's recommendation for approval of this application, subject to the inclusion of a condition ensuring that the development remains gate-free (which was agreed) and the inclusion of a condition ensuring that the properties designated as "affordable" remain so in perpetuity (which was also agreed)."

MCR Property Group, through an S106 legal agreement with Cheshire East Council, will provide £32,000 towards improving facilities at public open spaces in Alderley Edge.

The money will be used to purchase new play equipment for Alderley Edge Park, improved access to the playing fields, a multi-use games area and for drainage and access improvements at Chorley Hall Lane playing fields. There will also be a contribution towards improving access at Beech Close and Heyes Lane allotment sites.

Councillor Craig Browne also requested a further S106 agreement for a Toucan crossing on Wilmslow Road. The rationale for this request, which is supported by the Parish Council, is that there is no footpath on the eastern side of Wilmslow Road going south in the direction of Alderley Edge, until reaching Aldeli, which is half a mile away.

Cllr Browne said "For the development to be considered part of and connected with the community of Alderley Edge, it should be possible for eventual residents of the properties to be able to walk into the village safely. Currently, this would involve them having to cross Wilmslow Road at one of its busiest sections (as there is a footpath on the western side). It is also worth noting that such a crossing could also serve children accessing the Ryleys School Field and for this reason, this request has also been endorsed by Alderley Edge Parish Youth Council. (this request was delegated back to officers to negotiate with the developer of the site)."

Tags:

MCR Property Group, Yesterdays