The Northern Planning Committee has recommended that planning permission be approved for the former County Hotel to be demolished and replaced with apartments, on the proviso that the applicant makes a contribution towards affordable housing.
Plans to build 14 apartments with 42 parking spaces and landscaping at the Green Belt site, submitted by The Seddon Pension Scheme, were considered not have a materially greater impact upon the openness of the Green Belt.
However, the decision followed a lengthy debate about a late request from the Council that a contribution is made towards affordable housing.
Whilst the trigger for an affordable housing contribution is 15 dwellings, and only 14 are proposed for this site, an interim planning policy states that the size of the site should also be taken into consideration.
Councillor Roger West, Chairman of the Northern Planning Committee, explained at today's meeting "The requirement for affordable housing only came up late in the day on this because it does not meet the trigger for the number of units. It's actually the housing team who took it on the size of the site and an interim planning policy - therefore it is a trigger for an affordable housing contribution either on site or off site.
"In this instance the site would not be suitable for affordable housing provision on site but we are seeking a commuted sum for off site provision."
Peter Hooley, Planning Manager (North) said "We agree that the constraints of the site mean that affordable housing is not going to be provided on site but we do want to stick to our guns that an affordable housing contribution should be sought.
"A discussion with the applicants agent has indicated that they would be willing to negotiate an agreement if members insist on a contribution being requested so we're putting that recommendation forward to members. If members agree with that, we're confident we'll be able to negotiate an agreement with the applicants - obviously failing that we'll bring it back to committee for discussion."
Planning Officer Paul Wakefield added "If we do get an agreement the priority would be that it is spent in Alderley Edge but it could be spent elsewhere if a site is not found."
Cllr Hilda Gaddum responded "I think this is a very fundamental point. I have long been unhappy that in Alderley Edge when something big starts to come up we are always told it is not appropriate it's got to be a commuted sum. I have not got a problem with affordable units but I have got a problem about them always being allocated elsewhere. I would far rather see something on site or on the edge of the site.
"In the end there are lots of professional people, nurses, teachers and many others who cannot get on the ladder and we should be looking at what we can do within that - I would rather we focussed on that than a commutable sum."
Cllr Laura Jeuda said "This is the second one in two planning committees where this has occurred. These places are just too posh for ordinary, hard working people who cannot afford to buy their own homes at the price they are in Alderley. I think we should insist that affordable properties are provided in places where people live and work."
Clllr Jamie Macrae commented "We've had a lot of history of property developments where commuted sums have been spent outside of Alderley Edge. Over £1m I think it was, so we need to get the balance right."
"I would be happy if the committee decide the 106 should be spent within the parish of Alderley Edge. The Council does have assets around the area, very small scale development where two or three properties could be realised through working with our suppliers who do provide houses that affordable to local communities."
He added "It is important to get the balance right. Within Alderley Edge we have got new care homes built which are much needed but you'll find most of the staff have to travel quite substantial distances because there is no opportunity for people to buy houses at a realistic cost at the moment."
The policy is for 30% affordable housing - so Cheshire East would be looking for 4 units or a financial contribution which is presumably equivalent.
Cllr Louise Brown said "I am not happy with the principle that affordable housing should not be on the site because firstly if you are building in a particular area then affordable housing is something that can be mixed with private residential housing at the same time.
"Is a contribution of 4 or 5 dwelling going to be equivalent to the price of land in this area, so 4 or 5 affordable housing units can actually be built within Alderley Edge itself? I don't think so."
Cllr Carolyn Andrew said "I am quite sure there are bits of land around Alderley Edge which could provide affordable housing."
She added "It is high time developers did put affordable housing on site. We do need this affordable housing somewhere with some sort of relationship with the site they are developing."
Peter Hooley confirmed "The recommendation is that the application is delegated back to the Development Manager and Building Control Manager in consultation with the Chairman and ward member to approve the application subject to conditions and completion of a s106 agreement under heads of terms set out in the report with the commuted sums for affordable housing to be negotiated with the applicant."
Members voted in favour by eight votes to four (two abstained) to approve the application subject to the conditions above.
The required s106 legal agreement will include £63,000 for improvements to open space facilities at Alderley Park, Beech Road Park, Chorley Hall Lane playing fields and Heyes Lanes allotments. £7000 will also be included for the off-site provision of outdoor sports facilities at Alderley Park and Chorley Hall Lane playing fields.
The planning application, reference 12/4353M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
On the subject of affordable housing, I have to agree with Cllrs Gaddum, Jeuda and Macrae. The affordable housing should be built in Alderley Edge, not commuted elsewhere. The points made about people who work here in the village, often on low or minimum wage, are well made. Why should we not provide them with housing they can afford? The developers make huge amounts of profit whilst changing our local landscape, and it is right that the money they are obliged to contribute towards affordable housing remains in the area. We are only talking about 4 or 5 dwellings after all. I'm now going to stand back and see what the NIMBYs have to say for themselves!
I hate the word 'NIMBY' What is wrong with caring about what is going to be build in your neighbourhood. The people living in Ollerton did not want a whole row of affordable housing and when you look at what has been built in the area it has you can see why.
If you earn the minimum wage and work in Alderley Edge you are never ever going to be able to afford to buy in the area. That's life today. You will find that all over the Country.
It's important to keep our Green spaces Green.
Stop ticking boxes, because once you sold the property at affordable price the owners would most likely sell it for a good profit! Which will turn the affordable housing into non-affordable housing due to the property being in Alderley. Just look at London many of the 'Right to Buy' council tenants sold their property at market value.