Two businesses threatened by housing plan

Here we go again. We have lost The Royal Oak and now they want to destroy the best garage in the area. Enough is enough!! I have used that garage for 50 years so it must have been going for a while before that. We need a GOOD sensibly priced car repair shop in the village more than we need more posh houses. That end of Trafford Road has never been residential. This time I would like to see our Councilors stand up to these developers and put this application down. End of argument.

I totally agree with Peter's comments, lets see a bit of backbone from the council. Although their decisions regarding supermarket outlets in the village does not bode well for the garage. The council should use their power to protect these viable businesses.

I have been a customer of Alderley Motors for many years and have always had great service from them. Losing these businesses would be one more step in seeing Alderley Edge turn into an artificial dormitory village with just a few mainly upmarket service businesses and charity shops left. The Royal Oak had been underinvested over many years so, in spite of the efforts of its recent manager, was not able to operate on a sustainable basis. That is not the case with these companies, which are viable and are providing a useful service. Like Peter, I hope that this application will be refused.

Alderley Motors is a cherished village resource and an invaluable 'centre of mechanical excellence' for Alderley residents. I know that older Alderley motorists, who rely on the garage, will be particularly affected. My brother and I who run both classic and modern cars will mourn the day. If Macclesfied Council approves another crass housing development against the wishes of local residents, it is another example of their insensivity and contempt for the denizens of Alderley Edge.

great even more tasteless new builds to blight the theme park that has become our village. how do we stop all this vandalism by get rich quick developers ?

You are spot on Andrew. I agree that the closure of Alderley Motors would be a sad loss to this village. Peter, and Derek before him, along with excellent staff, have served me well for 26 years. Their friendly and efficient sevice at competative prices cannot be bettered and are of much greater value to our community than more houses.

Like Andrew I run a few Classic cars and I know of several others who do like wise and use Alderley Motors. They provide an essential service as they have the skill, understanding and interest to deal with Classics. Main car dealers are just not interested in working on Classics and as such we would struggle to find somewhere else. I realise that many people will think "so what", but this is part of the character of our village. Do we really want to turn our village into another boring dormitory town?

I have been having my cars serviced at Alderley Motors for nearly 30 years and have always had 100% satisfaction. I would recommend them to anybody .
I strongly agree with the previous comments on this subject . Alderley Motors is part of the community and it will be a sad day if they close and are replaced by characterless houses .

No! No! No! Keep the best, friendly, know-and-understand-both-car-and-owner garage I've come across in a long and varied experience - and not just in this area! Surely the whole village ought to be able to exercise some influence!

As with others who have commented, my wife and I have the highest regard for the staff at Alderley Motors; their competence and integrity is a scarce resource in the garage business.

It would be unforgivable if the Council fails to oppose this application and permits a highly appreciated village resource to disappear.

I presume everyone here is formally objecting to the development through the official Cheshire East planning portal (application 11/2248M) or these are just pointless whispers in the wind.
Perhaps one of our parish councillors (or anyone) could present an official, multi-signature petition/objection via the CEC appeals procedure? Surely a petition, signed by many residents/objectors would carry more weight than a few individuals two-pennyworth - although time is tight as the 'publicity end date' is 10th August.

Thanks - I was about to investigate how to do this!

I am sure the whole village and surrounding area feels the same about this. I shall make my objections know to the council and am very willing to sign the petition!

Chris Stock is absolutely correct, to make any impression on the Planning Officers dealing with this proposal, a properly organised and objective opposition needs to be generated. Alderley Motors provides a necessary, invaluable and high quality service to the Alderley Edge community and beyond. Its closure would be extremely detrimental.

AS so many above say, AE Motor co is invaluable and we should try to save it. The applicants should also not be allowed to get away with the untrue statement that "the other surrounding properties are of residential use". There is a Victorian house to the south, some ordinary - some would say unlovely - 1990s town houses and a row of shops opposite, an office block to the north and across Heyes Lane, completely visible from the site, another office block and the railway station.

Yes, Michael, I hadn't picked up on that - what they say is flagrantly untrue, and this must be brought to the notice of the planning committee

If the heat generated on alderleyedge.com can mobilize objections to CEC, all to the good. As The Edge Association has often found, volume of letters can be effective. HOWEVER, if this excellent website simply acts as a valve where people let off steam and so relieve pressure on the local authority, we'll get nowhere.

There is a very simple online form to register your objections - the link is below. You simply need to identify the planning number 11/2248M, fill in your details, click the button to object, add your comment and then submit.
http://bit.ly/reRqoU

By the way, here's my comments if you want to use or amend them

The development should be refused as the change of use to residential is inappropriate. This is not a vacant brownfield site, these are successful business units which have been in the village for many years and are used widely by local people. We have seen so many businesses collapse over the last few years in the village, so it would be unacceptable for a planning decision to lead to further job and business decline. Please do not allow this to happen.

The development itself is large and I suggest unneighbourly. Indeed to have three large houses on that plot is surely an over development of the site. The roof line is far too high. It looks to be on a level with the adjacent house(7) but please be aware that the road slopes down to the site and therefore the appearance will be one of domination of that area as the height will, in reality be so much greater. This must surely reduce the light for the neighbouring house.

Please refuse this application as it stands. Alderley edge needs businesses. There are enough houses to meet the needs of the village and there is really no need for this infill. Support the local business and refuse the application.

There is a facility on Cheshire East web-site to set up an online petition - none has so far been set up for this issue - I'm busy today - any takers?

Does anyone know if the Alderley Motor Company Building was the original Alderley Edge Fire Station?

I am sure I was told this previously, and if it was surely it would be sensible to keep this building and the businesses within it, not only for regular customers but for historical purposes.

And after losing the library and Royal Oak, you have got to keep Alderley Edge's history. Haven't you?

More houses to sit there empty and unsold like the all the others.
My family has been using the garage for many years. Pete and his team have always been brilliant with fantastic service. Surely planning permission can't be given to build more housing in the village.
A local business that serves as many local people as the garage does verses 4 houses that will benefit only 4 families...........no contest.

I have now submitted an objection to the planning proposal on the Cheshire East website at http://bit.ly/reRqoU as follows:

This proposal would entail a change of use for the premises from business to residential. The businesses on the site are long-established and viable companies providing a service valued by the community. If this proposal is allowed to go ahead then it will put their employees out of work, deprive their many customers of a valuable service and be a further step towards turning Alderley Edge into a bijou dormitory village devoid of the everyday services that local residents require.

Quote
" This change of use is better suited to the locality due to the fact that the other surrounding properties are all of residential use."

So a office block surrounding the left and rear of it and across the road to the right is the Dental place & Barbers plus other businesses......

Highly accurate .......

We're in Barrington House, the office block overlooking the site. We're also ground floor and our view is the car park of Alderley Motors and beyond. It isn't the best view in the world but it's definitely better than the side of a 3 story house.

We've submitted our objections.

I am open minded on this, but I do wonder why the building was not bought by the motor company years ago, when it would have cost a lot less ?

@Jon maybe the building wasn't for sale, maybe the garage are happy renting, maybe they couldn't afford the outlay of purchasing a building. Maybe it's only come about because a property developer has made the owner an offer they can't refuse but subject to planning.

For us, in our office next door, not only do we use the garage but the proposal will make a significant impact on our outlook, and with that maybe even whether we stay in our current office or move elsewhere.

Outlay in buying - not everyone has money to spare- and present owner's long term plans(schemes?) are , I guess, why it's rented.

I have been a customer of the Alderley Motor Company for the past 35 years during which time the garage has provided me with an excellent service, and also over the years to a very large number of local residents. The garage is an integral part in the business life of the village which it can ill afford to lose. On what grounds can the Council approve an application such as this which will ultimately destroy an established business and the lives of its employees?

I have read with interest the various comments re the garage site in Alderley Edge. It seems no-one has spoken with the actual business owners who would confirm that for over six years they have occupied the premises in the full knowledge there would be an eventual planning request for change of use. Councillors and the local authority have all been aware of the need for suitable re- location for the two businesses, hence the amount of time that has been allowed. They would also confirm that surely the simpler route for the owner of the site would have been to empty the premises several years ago and to allow the site to fall into disrepair, but the view was obviously taken, after consultation, to try to keep the businesses open while suitable location(s) were found. Surely the people writing comments should be spending their time canvassing their local authority to relocate the businesses into the site near the allotments, next to the Festival Hall, which has been proposed for two to three years now. It is a fact that both businesses support and understand the Landlord, who has remained totally flexible with no increase in rent for the last six years. If the site does not receive planning permission his only course of action will be to empty the premises, whereas if planning consent is received he will continue to work with local Councillors and the two businesses to find alternative accommodation ASAP.

Can I suggest you all push your local Councillors to find alternative accommodation for both companies – the planning application is not the issue?

Just a word of reminder, If you are going to oppose this planning application you have to object on planning grounds. I have been searching the Council website to check the zoning and its impossible to find, but my guess is that this area is either zoned for light commercial use or mixed use. Talking about the existing business ( Alderley Motors ) does not necessarily constitute a planning ground. Its the change of use from commercial to residential that is the planning issue and it is that change that is one ground for objection. Its worth a read of the planning policy document for Alderley Edge which can be found on the Council's website: http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/macclesfield/

It seems pretty straight forward to me then...

Mixed Use Areas
AEC4 within the mixed use areas shown on the proposals map, planning permission may be granted for Class A2 and Class A3 uses together with other uses commensurate with the role the centre serves provided that:
1 The amenities of local are residents are not harmed
2 The operation of other uses would not be prejudiced
3 The proposal does not conflict with other proposals of the plan
4 Any redevelopment must be sympathetic in scale and character to the setting and the character of the area.

Reason
13.6 The areas are characterised by a variety of uses which are appropriate within these areas and add to the vitality of the village centre. The policy provides guidance on the types of uses that may be acceptable.

Housing on that site clearly contradicts point 1.
Housing on that site will clearly NOT 'add to the vitality of the village centre'.

Perfect, black-and-white reasons for objections in my view.
Thanks for the pointer, Marc.

Chris, can I take you back to my point which is the garage site with or without planning permission will not be a garage site if the landlord chooses to do what a more unscrupulous landlord would have done years ago which is have the existing tenants vacate. Where is your vitality then? Again why don't you go and see the garage owners and ask them where you need to be putting your vitality and it is towards the authority finding a new location in the locality i.e. the allotments.

After reading the comments it seems pretty clear that almost everyone so far has objected to the possibility of houses being built on the current site.

The Alderley Garage Repair Workshop has fully-trained mechanics who served their apprenticeships at Main-Dealer garages, but they only charge a fraction of the £100+ per hour labour service charges normally associated with this type of expertise. if we lost this Workshop, the local community would be hard pushed to find alternative premises in the area with the level of competence and great value for money they offer.

To propose building houses on this site is a total nonsense, especially when you consider just how many empty and For-Sale houses are available in this area. It seems that Peter Ogden's comments are out of step with the majority, and I'm wondering how close he is to the landlord, especially as he discloses that the Landlord has not increased the rent for the last six years .... How does he know ? and what about the threat that the Landlord may "empty the premises" if he does not get his planning permission .... again, How does he know ?

It's not up to the Local Councillors to find alternative accomodation, it's up to the Landlord not to go ahead with this Planning Application ! ......
The Planning Application is the one and only issue here !

I agree with David Hadfield that Peter Ogden seems to know a lot about what would appear to be confidential information. I would ask him to declare to the people of Alderley Edge his interest in this development

I have been a customer at Alderely Motors for over twenty years. The skill and service Peter and his team provide is second to none. I have also bought cars from Jasper next door and have been more than happy. Eight jobs are at risk if this planning application is successful. What a tragedy and a loss to the village. We dont need more houses in the village but we do need business that give the village some soul.

The buildings housing the Alderley Edge Motor Co. and car showroom are of historical interest to the village and worth preserving. These buildings date from the late 1800s and were owned by Leonard Smith who hired out horses, landaus and carriages for the use of the gentry arriving by train e.t.c at Alderley station.

Perhaps more interesting, he also hired out the horses for the local volunteer fire brigade. These horses were housed on the second floor of the building and came down a ramp to the fire station on Heyes Lane.

This parcel of land has been used for commercial purposes for well over 100 years, so why change its use now, when both businesses are so successfully serving the village.

Harold Smith, Chairman of the Alderley History Group.

Yet another local business under threat with the potential loss of 8 jobs. Outrageous. Alderley Motors provides an excellent reasonably priced service and must be allowed to continue. We do not need more housing at the expense of a much valued local service. The village is in danger of being taken over by Tesco, Waitrose and the like and will soon lose its individuality and charm thereby devaluing the whole area.

No Anne, the village got taken over by the rich when the railway came it then lost it's individuality and charm.

Your local authority is working towards providing new garage facilities behind the Festival Hall on the allotments, which are being relocated. Your local authority is fully aware of the on-going issue and, as stated previously, if any of you care to discuss this with the Alderley Garage owner and the car sales owner, all the information will be freely available from them to you, as it was to me. The planning point is not the one and only issue, as wrongly stated, as whatever the decision on the planning application, it does not resolve the garages and their tenancies on that site, which is my point. The local authority need to be canvassed to find an alternative location for the garages. I am an Alderley Edge resident and would like to see a garage facility maintained for the people in the area, but realise that it will not be in the current location, whatever the outcome of the planning application.

I have one question to ask ........... Why do these businesses need to move ?

David - if the premises are left empty and become an eyesore, I suspect it might be easier to get planning permission next time round!

I repeat my question ......... Why do these businesses need to move ?
There is no fundamental reason why they should move. They do a wonderful job and the only reason this subject has even been raised is the fact that their landlord ("Russell Homes") ? has applied for Planning Permission to build houses on the site.
Peter Ogden states again that the Local Authority is working towards providing new garage facilities, etc, etc. ..... I ask the question Why ? There is no need for the Local Authority to do anything whatsoever if these businesses are allowed to stay on this site that they have occupied for the last few years.
What is the urgency for the landlord to close these businesses so suddenly ?
Where is Peter Ogden getting his confidential information from ?
He says "Anyone could discuss this with the business owners and all the information will be freely available" Well, when I asked them what is happening, they said it was confidential and they were not allowed to discuss it with me or anyone else.
So, it seems to me that Peter Ogden may have a hidden agenda ?
Who exactly is giving him the information ? Is he associated with Russell Homes ?

Lease could be up ?

So Renew the Lease !

See above comment of mine about the advantage to the landlord of not doing

In reply to David Hadfield’s various questions, I have obtained my information by using common sense and asking the right questions. The current business owners are fed up with answering the same questions over and over as they are trying to run their businesses and for the last 8 years have been on three-monthly notice to vacate the premises in full knowledge of eventual re-development. They would confirm the landlord has been more than reasonable in agreeing extension of time after extension of time in order to find alternative accommodation. The businesses are uneconomic because they have not been able to pay a correct level of rent, hence no rent increases for six years; when they have visited other locations to re-locate their businesses they are not prepared to pay market rent, probably because they are not charging the same rates as normal garages would. This probably explains why people want them to stay, to ensure they receive an inexpensive car repair service. The landlord clearly wants them to pay a fair commercial rent which would probably be twice what they are currently paying, or re-develop the site so he finally receives what he has put off for 6 years, with promises from your local authority and councilors that they will find a new location.

Again, this is not a planning point as the landlord is not prepared to keep them in at a ridiculous and uneconomic rent, in a building with a porous roof that is falling down and is not being repaired or maintained by the current tenants. So in answer to the question ”what is the urgency” I would not call 6 years of waiting impatience. You don’t seem to understand it is not the local authority deciding whether the businesses, or any business, can stay on the site – this is a privately owned site.

Peter, forgive me, but your posts do not suggest you are an impartial observer. Would you be prepared to clarify your own personal or professional interest in the issue for everyone who has contributed to this debate?

If the current owners 'are fed up with answering the same questions over and over' perhaps you should refrain from suggesting we all trot along and 'discuss this with the Alderley Garage owner and the car sales owner', as you did in a previous thread.
I don't understand why you continually drift from the point which is NOT about relocating the businesses but building yet more unecessary housing on the plot.
Direct question; Do you think houses should be built on that site?

i agree with Claire MacLeod, so just where is Peter Ogden getting his confidential information from ? Exactly who has he been asking for these "common sense" questions ?
Did he get the answers from Alderley Motors Company ?
Did he get the answers from J.Bauers Car Showroom ?
How does he know the Landlord want these businesses to pay twice the amount of rent ?
How does he know the current tennants are not maintaining the building ?
(I'm quite sure that is one comment they would NOT be telling him)
Clearly, Peter Ogden has a hidden agenda and he's not on the side of the two businesses !

I find that Peter Ogden's comment "This probably explains why people want them to stay, to ensure they receive an inexpensive car repair service" is completely offensive.

I wonder if Peter Ogden could help.? Is the tenant or the landlord responsible for the fabric of the landlords building.
." in a building with a porous roof that is falling down and is not being repaired or maintained by the tenants"!
This cant be right.

Two businesses threatened by housing plan

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