Plans refused for demolition of Trafford Road garage

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Controversial plans to demolish a car repair garage and car showroom on Trafford Road and replace them with housing have been refused by Cheshire East Council.

This proposal, submitted on behalf of Russell Homes, involves the demolition of the existing premises and the erection of four town houses in two blocks of semis.

The site, which is located within the mixed use zone and adjoins the Alderley Edge Conservation Area, has been occupied by Alderley Edge Motor Co for about 40 years and JM Bauer and D Bauer for the past 9 years.

The Council refused to grant planning permission on the grounds that the proposal would result in the loss of a commercial activity which assists in maintaining the economic base and is an important and well supported service to the local community.

They also stated it "would be a poor and cramped form of development which would be detrimental to the amenities of neighbours and future residents alike."

Cheshire East Council received around 130 individual letters from local residents who objected to the loss of the garage facility which they considered to be an important service to them. Some objectors also considered there to be no need for the housing.

The owner of Barrington House, and other businesses which occupy the three storey office block, raised concerns about potential conflicts that could occur for future residents regarding noise and disturbance for them from the car park, as well as potential overlooking by the office windows to the rear of Barrington House.

A petition was also sent to the Council, signed by approximately 70 employees of Chess Telecom, which is located on Heyes Lane. The company stated that many employees utilise the garage and staff go shopping in the village whilst waiting for their car to be worked upon.

Another petition from residents in the Alderley area contained 138 signatures and raised objections on grounds of the loss of the employment at the site and the loss of what locals consider to be a valuable service to them from the car repair garage.

Philip Jobling, speaking on behalf of the Edge Association, said "I am very pleased that the council have listened to all the concerns that were expressed about the loss of yet another local facility."

Whilst both Alderley Edge Motor Co and JM Bauer and D Bauer have no desire to vacate these premises, and could continue to operate from them for some time, they are both on short term tenancies. Russell Homes, who own the premises only need to give both occupiers 3 months notice to quit and are under no obligation to provide alternative accommodation for either.

A previous planning application, registered in July 2003, for the development of nine apartments in a three and a half storey building, with two retail units on the ground floor and basement car parking, for this location was refused.

The planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire East planning portal by searching for planning reference 11/2248M.

Tags:
Planning Applications, Trafford Road Garage
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Alan R Davies
Tuesday 8th November 2011 at 3:26 pm
Great news. Hopefully this is the end of the story, and we can continue to look forward to years of excellent local service from these companies.
David Hadfield
Tuesday 8th November 2011 at 6:20 pm
Fantastic news. Common sense prevails at last for Alderley Edge !!
"Well Done" everyone who supported these businesses.
Allan Brown
Tuesday 8th November 2011 at 8:01 pm
Delighted for the Bauers and Derek and his team...and wishing you all success for many years to come...and our thanks. A very merry christmas !.
Peter Ogden
Friday 18th November 2011 at 7:46 pm
Be careful what you wish for at the Trafford Road garages site. The fact is that the Landlord has subsidised the garage rental for over five years on the back of various promises made that the garages would be relocated and a sensible planning approach would receive a positive result. The reason people use the garages for their repairs is not simply because they are local, it is because of the cost, as two other sites have been offered both at Royals and Highams, but that would have meant higher charges for servicing and repairs. The Landlord has always agreed that even with planning permission granted there would be a delay for the relocation of the garages and, with hindsight, perhaps had he emptied the site five years ago, a planning application for the derelict site would have attracted no objections and indeed would have been a big improvement to the area. The people who objected are more concerned about the cost of vehicle repairs than the eyesore that currently sits on Trafford Road. I understand now that both tenants have been asked to vacate the premises by February, leaving vacant buildings already in a state of disrepair and well past their economic life. The garage owners are unable to pay the a market rent and can no longer afford to stay on the site. One can only wonder what the site will look like one year from now.
Jasper Bauer
Friday 18th November 2011 at 11:38 pm
Peter phone me.
Jasper Bauer
Friday 18th November 2011 at 11:47 pm
Peter Ogden don't know who you are. I'm paying a fair market rent take of your glasses and check it out.
David Hadfield
Saturday 19th November 2011 at 1:55 am
I think Peter Ogden knows a bit too much for his own good.
It's amazing how he knows that both tenants have been asked to vacate both sites by February.
One can only wonder what his ultimate objective is ...........
Is he a paid lacky by the landlord to do the talking on behalf of the landlord ?
It's just beyond belief .......
Jasper Bauer
Sunday 20th November 2011 at 1:14 pm
Have tried to contact Susan Orrell today can't contact her she's on leave till the 5 dec.

JN Bauer and Alderley Motor Company need the support of the alotment holders now the clock is ticking.
Alan R Davies
Sunday 20th November 2011 at 1:42 pm
I think that Peter Ogden should declare his interest in this issue.
Jasper Bauer
Friday 25th November 2011 at 6:18 pm
A very merry Christmas I hope you all get what you wish for, a big thankyou to my landlord David Russell for his support in trying to relocate us within alderly edge, Peter and his team from Alderley Motor Co always a joy to work alongside, to the local motor dealers I thank you for your talks and plans for the future, to customers of Alderley Motor Co and J N Bauer we both send our warmest greetings.