Tesco - Buxton Application

Most proably reciving a welcome sigh of relief from the many local's in Buxton opposed to the proposal, the news today that Tesco's have withdrawn their planning application for the former Buxton Mineral Water site, may well just be a temporary division.

I say that because although the application has been withdrawn from consideration by the council's development control committee, it may well just be a temporary reprive while they alter their proposals to better meet the planning grounds for that site, and as such remove any of the issues that may lead to an officer recommendation to the development control committee to refuse the application.

But to a certain extent that's an issue for another day, when or if they put the application back in.

Samas Roneo – Good news / bad news ?

One of the items up for discussion and decision at the development control meeting of the 7^th November is the recent application by BNP Paribas / Astor Property Group with regards to the Samas Roneo site and adjacent field.

The application which is for 93 properties, provoked to a certain extent the usual response to any sort of building / planning application, along the lines of not in my back yard, along with a reasonable number of valid concerns around the amount of additional traffic that the proposal would bring with the likely hood of a minimum of 90 additional cars on the road.

There were however some elements of support for the development, mainly around the idea of removing the factory from existence, but also in terms of support to one of the local schools who currently low in numbers quite likes the idea of a potential additional 90+ homes with kids.

Interestingly despite the comments above there have as detailed in the report only being 5 letters of objection to the proposals (so far) with those objections highlighting concerns around traffic impact, employment land availability, housing supply and the environmental impact of development.

That said however, the recommendation from the planning officers is for refusal, which in part gets the good news, bad news commentary, with I suppose it been good news to those not wanting developments / having traffic concerns etc but bad news to those that wanted the former Samas Roneo warehouse removing.

In terms of the refusal recommendation, the grounds it’s recommended for refusal on are, around a lack of affordable housing being offered by the developer, along with a failure to make adequate arrangements for traffic access to the site of the proposed Gamesley Station.

The report will now go for discussion and decision at the next meeting of development control, which may or may not back the recommendation of the officers.

You can read the report yourself by clicking here, but I would suspect that this won’t be the last we will hear on the proposal, with additional information on changes to the site layout, and amount of affordable housing been offered, still being in a state of flux or at least they were at the time of the report been written.

HPK/2011/0452

A display board from the recent consultation

The letters and number above, or at least what it represents will no doubt become a popular topic of conversation amongst locals in the Gamesley area over the next few months.

The reason for this is that the letters and number will be the reference for the planning application by BNP Paribas for land on Glossop Road including the former Samas Roneo Warehouse.

The details of the application (ie how many houses etc) are not yet known as the application is currently awaiting validation / processing - however from the site / location address for the application it would seem to indicate that the application will include the field next to, as well as the former Samas Roneo Warehouse.

Further details will be advised, as and when they are available.

Form or function (part 2) ?

Avid readers may recall that earlier this year (form or function) I made reference to concerns that the council's development control committee were taking the wrong 'track' whilst considering the replacement of railway bridge 42 in Whaley Bridge.

Well whilst they took suitable notice of my comments in reaching the decision to refuse the applcation, it would appear I was not alone in thinking that function should be more of a consideration, because in a report to next week's development control committee listing all recent appeal requests, an appeal has been lodged to overturn the decision made.

Now whilst the appeal may have no sucess, it will be interesting to see if the Planning Inspectorate take the view that function is more important than form.

Samas Roneo / Glossop Road - Housing Consultation - Feedback Forms

Following on from Monday's post on the consultation event, I advised that BNP Paribas would be emailing a feedback form, however they have now advised the following :

I refer to a resident’s request last night for further feedback forms. The feedback forms have been purposely designed to obtain feedback from people who attended the exhibition and had the opportunity to view the scheme. For this reason, we feel it would not be appropriate to send out feedback forms to people who did not attend the exhibition. Alternatively, however if people have any queries or would like information about the proposals they should feel free to contact us. Notwithstanding this, there will be a further opportunity for local residents to view the development proposals at a second consultation event once the planning application has been submitted. There will also be opportunity for local residents to submit their views to High Peak Borough Council once the application has been submitted and the planning application documents have been made available on the Council’s website.

Now whilst there reply is not entirely helpful, it does seem to indicate that they will be going ahead with submitting a planning application at some point in the near future.

Samas Roneo / Glossop Road - Housing Consultation

This afternoon from 4.00pm until 7.00pm in the GRA Office, a consultation organised by BNP Paribas on behalf of Astor Property Group took place.

The consultation was around proposals from the above to seek planning permission for 95 houses on land including the former Samas Roneo Warehouse on Glossop Road.

The consultation took the form of the below display boards, with attendees been asked to complete a questionnaire (copies of which will be available here tomorrow - once it's been emailed through).

It will be interesting to see what happens next - in terms of whether they go to the next step of submitting a planning application, as many of the folk attending today event seemed in opposition to the proposals, but in addition to concerns around the proposals there was also a number of questions the proposers of the scheme were unable to answer, as they will only be seeking outline permission with the actual 'builder' to come forward at some later date.

If you have views, comments or questions on the scheme please let me know - and as and when I have any further details on what's happening around this proposals I'll let folk know as soon as I know.

Samas Roneo Site - Housing Consultation

BNP Paribas on behalf of Astor Property Group are holding a consultation on proposals from them to build up to 95 homes on the former Samas Roneo Site and adjacent land between the site and the Bluebell Pub.

The consultation is set to take place on Monday 24th July from 4pm until 7pm in the Gamesley Residents Association Office and you can download a copy of the information leaflet about the consultation by clicking here (it's in PDF format - and you can download a adobe reader for free from www.adobe.com).

I expect the proposals if they move on to become an actual planning application will raise a mixed response from local people and the planners.

I would expect a welcome to proposals that will sort out / remove the 'ruins / remains' of the former Samas Roneo warehouse, but with both the former warehouse and most of the adjacent land being put forward for development both being classed at current as land for industrial / employment use will the proposals meet the requirements of planners ?

Local Planning Application’s

Image via Wikipedia

If you click on the issue’s / campaigns link on the menu above, there is an option to display current planning applications in the Gamesley area of which there are currently two.

One is for Glossop Caravans, the other for a extension to a house on Alport.

If you have any issues or concerns over these applications, please let me know – click on the get in touch option on the menu above for ways to get in touch.

Planning Democracy - Update

Just an update to last week’s piece on planning democracy, an email was sent round by the executive member apologising profusely and promising that changes will be subject to appropriate consultation prior to implementation and that it was hoped that people wouldn’t respond negatively to possible other enthusiasm by one of the officers.

Planning Democracy

Yesterday evening a training session for members of the Development Control Committee took place at the council’s offices in Chinley, and whilst I wasn’t there myself, the other Councillor Mckeown was and the handout’s from the training session reveal a number of proposed changes the some would say indicate the direction that the alliance is going in.

I say direction because whilst the changes may appear minor, so far to date there has been no consultation with the member of the committee concerned or with the exception possible of the executive no consultation with any other members of the council regarding the changes.

The changes include switching the development committee from meeting on a Monday to meeting on a Thursday, from meeting every three weeks to every four, reductions in the length of time available for ward members to speak on an application before the committee, no questions from members of the committee to speakers on any applications, and by the look of it further complications to the process in Councillors been able to ‘call in’ applications to appear before the development control committee and be decided by elected members rather than officials.

Now on paper some of the changes are not that much of a big issue, and all are been done in the name of efficiency the lack of consultation on some measures including those that have already recently been rejected by members following early changes to the development control process show what I hope has been an error on the part of those concerned with full consultation taking place shortly or if not is this a sign of how things will be following the recently completed management review.

Coming up – Development Control

Next Monday (20th April) sees a meeting of the council’s development control committee.

There are 7 applications for consideration including the reconsideration of plans from Lidl for a supermarket at the former Wild and Hallam Showrooms on the A57 at Brookfield.

The application which was originally submitted last year and withdrawn in January, has had some changes made to it, but not enough apparently to satisfy the planners who are still recommending it for refusal.

As I commented previously I have no personal preference on whether the application is approved or not, and since the last application no one has contacted me with strong views either way.

However I’m still slightly concerned that once again in the current financial climate a scheme that could provide jobs in the hear and now is been recommended for refusal in part on the grounds of loss of employment land.

Although the recommendation is currently against it will be interesting to see whether the prospect of jobs now will change the view of the development control committee and override the issues currently against the proposal.

Standard Committee - Protocol for Development Control Committee

Although the standards committee is not one that I serve on or often attend, it does consider a wide range of issues around standards for councillors.

Last Wednesday’s meeting which I wasn’t at, considered a report on reviewing / establishing a protocol for Land Use Planning Matters and Development Control Committee.

The aim of the protocol is to ensure that all persons contacting the council over planning issues should have confidence that the conduct of all councillors and officers involved in the process is consistent and fair to all persons involved. The protocol also ensures that all councillors and officers know what is expected of them.

Some of the main changes been put forward in this change don’t make complete sense to me at current, particularly the one around effectively removing the development control sub committee which currently has a role in discussing with applicants or objectors applications prior to them going to the full development control committee, something which whilst I can see has the aim of improving transparency may make the committee less efficient than it currently can be, with more detailed issues having to be dealt with in full committee rather than a more concentrated sub committee hearing.

Other changes include the introduction of an officer code of conduct, along with a mandatory requirement for committee members to attend site visits if scheduled or to ensure they view any sites under consideration from a public viewpoint.

The report that went to the standards committee is unclear as to how much consultation has gone on with either committee members and or office in the development control service and it will be interesting (if the proposals were approved by the standards committee) as to the views of development control committee members if approved.

What next for the Old Tup

DSC00045
Originally uploaded by AnthonyMck.

Since closing down and been boarded up a few weeks ago, there has been
speculation over what the future holds for the Old Tup Pub.

Well towards the end of last week the future seems a little more clear, with
the details of the sale of pub been published showing that it has been de
licensed as a pub, and according to the details from Nolan Redshaw who are
tasked with selling it, it has no option to return to being a pub in the
future.

If you are interested in the pub or perhaps as it's now unlicensed the site,
from the details within the sales materials it would set you back almost
£250,000 and although I'm awaiting clarification from the councils planning
section as to what those uses could be, the sales brochure advises subject
to planning approval the pub could have a number of alternative uses.

Planning Applications – Cottage Lane Surgery

The consultation period is shortly coming to an end for application (HPK/2008/0294) submitted by the Cottage Lane Surgery for a single story extension to the side of the surgery.

Further details on the application are available from Glossop Town Hall or on the council’s website at http://planning.highpeak.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=103055

Development Control Committee

As mentioned last week Monday evening saw a meeting of the development control committee.

The plans for the Hotel on land at Wooley Bridge were withdrawn by the developer, with the proposals for 3 holidays cottages at Hargate Hill in Charlesworth been approved.

Despite the objections from local residents the amendments to the existing approved application on Cottage Lane were approved, with only Cottage Lane councillor Bob Mckeown voting against the application.

However due to an additional condition been added to the application it is now unclear as to whether the development must be started by mid June this year or if it now extends for a further 12 months due to this additional condition before the developers would have to reapply from scratch for planning permission.

Woodhead Tunnel

Following on from a first flag of the issue in July, and it been raised in a whole host of other places since then, it is good to see that there is now a campaign group running to Save the Woodhead Tunnel which will have a meeting to get people involved in the Campaign this Tuesday (18th December) evening.

The campaign also has a website at http://savethewoodheadtunnel.blogspot.com which list's 4 things you can do to help the campaign which are :

"1. Keep visiting the save the Woodhead Tunnel website and sign the 10 Downing Street online petition to re-open the route.
2. Write to National Grid asking them to reconsider their decision and back the re-opening of the tunnel for rail: National Grid, Lakeside House, The Lakes, Northampton NN4 7SN
3. Get involved in the Save the Woodhead Tunnel Campaign and help make your voice heard - send us an email if you want to find out more, including details of forthcoming meetings. Download our leaflet here & print off copies for distribution to as many people as you can.
4. Write to Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Transport asking her to save the route (Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR) & write to your MP to ask them to sign Graham Stringer MP's Early Day Motion number 459."

The last point on the list of the things you can do to help with regards to the Early Day Motion has already been done by local MP Tom Levitt, and also marks the second good thing that I have seen done in recent week by Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer who started the early day motion in Parliament.

The meeting take place this Tuesday evening at 7.00pm in Glossop's Bredbury House, please go along and attend the meeting if you can, unfortunately I can't due to it clashing with the Christmas Full Council Meeting which also take place tonight, but I am sure from the various places that have flagged the issue up there will be a good attendance.

Building works – Hurdlow / Centurion Area

According to details from High Peak Community Housing, work should be starting this week on the building of 4 houses on land between the Hurdlow area and the Centurion on the estate.

The houses, which once built will be let for rent by High Peak Community Housing, are expected to be completed by April 2008.

Samas Roneo Site - Withdrawal of planning application

Wimpey's have withdrawn there planning application appeal for the Samas Roneo Site on Glossop Road.

This means that there are now no known current plans for the future of the site, and with its current / continued inclusion in the local plan as a site for industrial / commercial use, it may well be some time before there is an alternative use found for the site.

Smoking shelters

Mixed news for the Centurion with regards to there planning applications for a canopy and amenity area outside the pub.

Under delegated powers to officers, the amenity area including a shelter and decking area has been refused planning permission, but the canopy over the footpath at the side entrance has been approved.

The decision has been made by planning officers partly on the basis that anti social behaviour would increase existing problems (relating to the park) in the area.

Smoking shelters

As part of a response to the impending ban on smoking in public places, a number of local pubs are either in the process of planning ‘facilities’ such as a smoking shelter’s or have already built or put in for planning permission to get them built.

As far as I know the Centurion on the estate, is the first of the estate’s pubs to look at providing 'facilities' for smokers and currently has two planning applications (HPK/2007/0282 and HPK/2007/0294) in for a shelter over the entrance, along with a decking / covered area at the side of the pub.

To date, I’ve not taken a view either for or against the applications and as suchI would welcome your views on the applications.