COUNTY HOTEL APPLICATION APPROVED

I am now able to report that this application for 22 apartments and 4 townhouses was approved earlier today at Northern Planning Committee.

Whilst not particularly enamoured of the choice of design, I welcome the fact that this gateway site to Alderley Edge which has been derelict for years, will now be redeveloped. I am disappointed that yet again, a developer has managed to avoid providing affordable housing on-site and that a majority of members agreed with a commuted sum instead (which may not end up being spent in Alderley Edge).

I am also disappointed by the way in which the Vacant Building Credit (VBC) has been interpreted, which has allowed the developer to reduce their affordable housing contribution by over half. National Planning Policy Guidance states that the VBC applies where a building has not been abandoned and that it should not be applied in circumstances where this might result in no affordable housing being provided. I believe the process by which CEC applies the VBC needs subjecting to further scrutiny.

Having said this, I am pleased that we have been able to protect and retain (by planning condition) the stone wall at the entrance to Harden Park, which is a feature of the area and that the Ward Councillor will be consulted on the final landscaping details. I am also pleased to have negotiated the addition of a pedestrian refuge on Wilmslow Road, which has to be installed prior to occupation of any of the new dwellings. This should help to narrow the road and improve pedestrian safety.

Finally, I am delighted to have secured a Section 106 contribution (payable on commencement of the development) of £84,000 towards Public Open Space, part of which will now be used to fund the creation of a Skating Area in Alderley Edge Park. This is something that our Youth Councillors have long been asking me for and which gained overwhelming public support at a consultation event we held at the Festival Hall last summer.