Brampton House appeal upheld

An appeal to demolish a Victorian villa located within 'The Edge' conservation area has been successful.

The owner appealed against Cheshire East Council's refusal to grant consent for the demolition of Brampton House and full planning permission for the erection of a detached house. The Northern Planning Committee refused his application on 29th September 2010, on the grounds that the development fails to preserve the character of the Conservation Area.

Following the appeal hearing on Tuesday, 8th February, permission has now been granted to build a 5 bedroom mansion with a swimming pool, gym and 4 car garage. The replacement dwelling, on Trafford Road, will incorporate the existing façade.

A report from Inspector Alan Wood said "The proposal before me would retain the building's most significant elevation, the reconstruction of the side elevations would respect the nature of the existing form, and the changes to the rear of the building would be similar to those already approved."

The report went on to state "the overall contribution to the character and appearance of the CA (conservation area) of the building elements which would be lost as a consequence of the proposed demolition would not be so compelling as to warrant their retention in this particular case."

Martin Sinker, of The Edge Association, spoke briefly at the appeal hearing. He said "The outcome is deeply disappointing but not unexpected.

"The adjudication (i.e. the expert view from Bristol) more or less states that demolition of all but the front facade of Brampton House will "preserve and enhance" the Conservation Area, as in the CA Criteria.

"It is a sad fact, experienced on previous occasions, that outside experts do not appreciate the importance and significance within Alderley Edge, of our Victorian Villas - given that the coming of the railway and the building of the Villas and associated lower-cost housing in the 1850's, amounted to the creation of a "new model village" at the time - there was no Alderley Edge village before then. Victorian Villas elsewhere, e.g. in Bristol, do not have the same importance."

Councillor Matthew Lloyd added "I think the decision is a great shame but not surprising. I believe it is a further example of decisions being made by planning consultants with no understanding of the local area and who fail to appreciate the context in which the contested developments are proposed. The sad fact is, there are few listed buildings in and around Alderley Edge, and we have to fight hard to preserve what historic buildings we have.

"Brampton House is a sad loss and I defy any architect to honestly claim that the integrity of the facade of this original Alderley Edge villa is being preserved when the dramatic chimneys and roof are being destroyed."

An application was also submitted for a full award of costs against Cheshire East Council. However, Inspector Alan Wood refused the application stating "unreasonable behaviour resulting in unnecessary expense, as described in Circular 03/2009 has not been demonstrated and that an award of costs is not justified."

This story was covered in the national press last week when the MEN revealed that it was Mark Hughes, the former Manchester City Manager, who submitted the application to demolish Brampton House and build a replacement dwelling.

The documents relating to planning application 10/1768M can be viewed on the Cheshire East Planning Portal and further information about this appeal can be found in my previous article.