A decision regarding plans to create a new medical practice at the Festival Hall is expected to be made next week.
The Northern Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, 15th August, to consider the planning application which involves alterations and extensions to the hall to create more appropriate and modern medical facilities.
A report prepared by officers for the planning committee meeting recommends the planning application for approval.
The report states "The proposal will help meet the changing Primary Health Care requirements to deliver more services to patients locally against a changing demographic where the population is aging and living longer. This is considered to be a significant community benefit. The proposal also allows the existing community based asset to bring itself into line with DDA legislation and to continue to provide medical care for the community in the future."
The report continues "The partial loss of the locally listed building is justified and whilst the development is sizeable, the impact upon the street scene is considered to be acceptable. Subject to conditions, the amenities of neighbours can be adequately safeguarded."
The Festival Hall is a Locally Listed Building which was built in 1927 for the Alderley Edge Music Festival.
Plans include erecting an extension to the frontage of the Festival Hall, following the partial demolition of the existing frontage - the areas to be demolished comprise the foyer, toilets and offices within the Hall.
The three storey extension will provide a medical centre with 19 consultation/treatment rooms for use by the Alderley Edge Medical Practice and additional medical specialisms, such as a physio and a skin lesion clinic.
The proposal also incorporates a pharmacy on the ground floor, offices, a patient lift, minor surgery rooms and an enlarged car park.
The front extension for the medical centre will extend to the back of the pavement on Talbot Road, with the ground floor entrance columns sited on the pavement, and is 10m high at its closest point to the neighbouring residential property at the Talbots.
The proposal also incorporates a separate access point for the Festival Hall to the side, facing the allotments, and will require the removal of a telecoms mast presently in situ. The entrance will replace the existing front entrance, which will be lost to the formation of the Medical Practice, and will include toilets and entrance foyer for the sole use of the Festival Hall.
Nearly 500 copies of the same generic letter have been submitted, which was provided by the surgery for their patients to sign. The letter supports the plans, as originally submitted, and states that the proposal will improve access and the range of services for patients, including the provision of a lift and access suitable for wheelchair users and provide a modern, easily accessible pharmacy.
A total of 14 individually written letters of support were also received along with 50 letters of objection.
Most respondents did not object, in principle, to the creation of additional medical facilities for the community at the Festival Hall. However, objections and concerns were raised about issues such as; the loss of the historic frontage; design, scale, height and dominance of the front extension for the medical practice; inappropriate use of materials; traffic generation and some people questioned the future viability of the hall on the basis of the public entrance being moved to the 'less obvious' side elevation.
The scheme has been amended during the course of the application and now proposes a reduced second storey and the use of brick facing materials to match the existing building as opposed to the use of render.
The facility will employ approximately forty full and part time members of staff, an increase in five staff members from the current George Street facility.
Click here to read the full report prepared for next week's meeting of the Northern Planning Committee.
Plans for the new medical centre can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 12/1361M.
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