New plans have been submitted to replace the car repair garage and car showroom on Trafford Road with family houses.
This latest proposal, submitted on behalf of Russell Homes, involves the demolition of the existing premises and the erection of four town houses.
The proposed development consists of two blocks of semis, which will be four storey, four bedroomed houses.
The site adjoins the Alderley Edge Conservation Area and is located within the mixed use zone. It has been occupied by Alderley Edge Motor Co for approximately forty years and JM Bauer and D Bauer for the past ten years.
A planning application, reference 11/2248M, for four town houses was refused in October 2011, on the grounds that the development 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.
It was 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."
A previous 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 new plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East website by searching for planning reference 12/3015M.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
1. 0.5 meter drop in the roof height
2. 0.5 meter shift of one block away from the neighbour
3. Using a pitched roof line on the side of the neighbour
All of which are geared toward satisfying part 2 of the refusal in October 11, available here:
http://doc.cheshireeast.gov.uk/NorthgatePublicDocs/07298315.pdf
Just makes me wonder what they've discussed with the council (because that's what you do before submitting) that could satisfy points 1. and 3.
Here we go with another round of objections.
As far as I know the garage on south street is not for sale, but was on a short term lease to Alderley Auto's. I do know however, before Alderley Auto's were there it was offered to Alderley motor company on a short term lease, but was not big enough and with very limited parking space.
Also the MOT license for this garage could not be re-licensed without building alterations.
On another note, where would the car sales showroom be situated?
If Alderley motor company were to move into this site it would soon become a nuisance neighbour due to the lack of space and parking as opposed to the part of the fabric and history of Alderley Edge as it is now!
Comment and discussion here is great but if you're against the proposal then you MUST register your objection formally.
There's a quick web form available on Cheshire East's website here: (I hope this link works)
http://bit.ly/Oy79l8
If I was in the shoes of Alderley Motor Co I’d be desperate to get away from a decrepit old building and the uncertainty of a landlord who wished to change use. It genuinely can’t be the best way to run a business.
I think Fiona is right, there are plans afoot to re-site the allotments and create alternative
accommodation for the garage. What would you want, old building and uncertainty, or fancy new building and certainty? Hmmm, let me think.
Perhaps the whole lot should all be tied in together as one master plan, it would at least sort out peoples concern about losing the garage.
Damn, arguing against myself here. Now I sound like I’m pro this development, I’m not, I believe it will block out a lot of natural daylight into the office I spend 9 hours per day in.
I'm just making this comment because we need to focus on justified objections. If you base it on retaining Alderley Motors, and (not forgetting) JN Bauer, planning will probably be approved.
Problem 1.
Do we object to the building of more houses and the loss of Alderley Motor Co.
If the landlord / developer does not get planning this time he could give the tenants 3 months notice to leave and let the site go derelict, forcing the council to eventually give in.
If you lived next door to this site, you would want what the developer is proposing, albeit a few minor adjustments
Problem 2.
If there is a genuine proposal to relocate the allotments and develop them into extra car parking for the medical centre and relocate Alderley Motor co to that site then surely this is the way to go, no one likes change, but moving the allotments to the proposed new site clears a waiting list of 40 plus waiting for an allotment and allows Alderley Motor Co to carry on serving the residents of Alderley Edge as it has been doing for the last forty years.
I would be very hopeful that if the developer of the Trafford Road site was to be granted planning permission he would be gracious and allow Alderley Motor Co to stay on Trafford Road until the new garage facility was built.
The residents of Alderley Edge have a clear choice ;
A, A derelict site on Trafford Road, No Alderley Motor Co & only 18 or so allotments on Heyes lane, no new car park for the revamped festival hall & no extra parking for the new medical centre.
B, Four new houses on Trafford Road, A new Alderley Motor Co, 40 plus new allotments, A new purpose built car park for the revamped festival hall & extra parking for the new medical centre.
It is now time for the residents of Alderley Edge to make up their minds as to what is best for The future of Alderley Edge.
I wonder how long it will take the Traveller Community to set up camp on the new allotment site after all, with some 60 allotments it will look like a gypsy encampment?
Just a thought!
I wonder- if all the establishments you mention had been given more support that they would still be trading now and would not need new premises.
But unless you own your premises here in Alderley Edge it would seem like an impossible dream to maintain a level of support so high that you are able to ride rent and rate reviews over the long term.
I have heard that the two businesses at the centre of this discussion are 'good to deal with', 'nice' and 'part of the fabric of the village'. They should be commended - but they don't own the land that they trade on and so are forced to suffer as others have. As to being singled out and accorded very special concessions on new car parks by parish councillors on all our behalves - mmm - that doesn't sit too well with me! Nor with very many others, I suspect?
Perhaps we should put the Post Office on the new Car Park? At least the Car Park might be used - and then there would be no need to move to 'change of use' to build houses on it at some point in the future.
Or am I being a little cynical?
What about a swimming pool, fitness and leisure centre - now there IS a thought?
I guess my real point is that nothing in Alderley Edge ever seems to be 'straight'. It's always shrouded in mystery with very few people knowing quite what is going on!
Perhaps that's what happens in local government?
You are not being cynical your are just looking at the facts. AEPC has its own agenda and it would appear to go to any lengths in achieving this goal. It does make you wonder what is the motivation behind all of this? Does removing allotments and replacing them with a garage and a car park really benefit the community?
Please stop trying to develop Heyes Lane Allotments.
I call it logical sense. I think you will find that you are grossly outnumbered by loyal residents who regularly use these garage facilities.
And as to the covernant, when was this made, 1479? I think you should get REAL! Times have moved on since then.
The parish council do care for the village and residents that's why they hope to relocate these thriving business's.
There is no money to be made from the site; no-one on the Parish Council has any intention of selling the site to a developer; even were that possible.
Of course AEPC has an agenda BUT its not a secret one; the medical centre will get built and that MAY have as yet unknown spin-off effects; as all major building projects may have.
The present owner of the allotment site is Cheshire East and it was their idea to pass on the site to the Parish Council, on a lease BUT we are still waiting to see exactly what that final lease will 'say'.
Some ask if we need more housing and more parking; in my own opinion yes; you may well disagree.
If this has clarified ought, then good; if not, my apologies for wasting your time.
But perhaps the council could see its way to easing the 'allotmenteers' way by offering to do the first dig by mechanical means, enriching the soil, and/or giveng a move period to enable precious plants to be transferred? Compromise is needed. The present situation with the garagses will not continue and we will then be faced wuth the loss of both and an eyesore on Traford road
Nobody has answered his question as to who will OWN it?
Mike N.... do you mean the West St. car park? If so, the owners closed it.
Mike D-J... own it? No idea? If it happens (and lots of people seem to not want that) then no doubt lawyers (money, money, money) will have to sort that one out.
Surely being an allotment holder yourself Mr Norbury, you would support this proposal to give the chance for 40 plus more allotments .
I cannot see any justification for your commercial buildings obliterating an existing, double-covenanted site which is reserved for a specific use, ie allotment gardening,
Please consider other alternatives, as the Heyes Lane Allotment site is not available for commercial use, by you or anyone else.