Decision due on apartment plans for Alderley Edge fire-ravaged house

Oaklands, on Wilmslow Road, was gutted by a massive fire in 2022.

North East Cheshire Developments wants to demolish the building, together with the neighbouring Old Coach House on Horseshoe Lane, and replace them with 14 apartments.

Cheshire East planners have recommended the proposal, which was due to be decided by officers under delegated authority, be approved.

But councillors will now have the final say after the application was ‘called-in’ by ward councillor Craig Browne (Ind).

Cllr Craig Browne (Image: Cheshire East Council) Cllr Browne argued: “This application is for a significant development proposal at a key gateway site to Alderley Edge and, as such, would benefit from further scrutiny and consideration by the members of northern planning committee.”

He said areas to be looked at included the residential housing mix and highway safety because access is via an unadopted road, and because there is no safe footway or point of exit on to Wilmslow Road.

The proposal is for two one-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bed and two three-bed flats.

Access would be taken from Horseshoe Lane to the east of the site with the apartment building located centrally within the plot on the Oaklands side with parking and landscaping to the east.

The building would be five storeys high from the Wilmslow Road elevation and four storeys from the Horseshoe Lane elevation arranged in a single rectangular block.

Alderley Edge Parish Council has called for the application to be refused on grounds of overdevelopment.

Thirteen local residents have objected to the scheme.

Their reasons include highway safety concerns and fears the building will cause unacceptable overlooking of existing properties by reason of its overdevelopment.

One resident has written to the council in support of the proposal.

A report from the council’s planning officer, due to go to next week’s meeting of the northern planning committee, states: “The scheme presents an acceptable design that will not unduly harm the character or appearance of the surrounding area, and the amenity of existing or future occupants will not be adversely affected.

“Economic benefits of the scheme comprise the spending power of future residents in the local shops and services and the short-term economic benefits derived from the creation of construction jobs.”

The application is recommended for approval subject to a S106 agreement to secure a financial contribution of £95,241 for the provision of play and amenity, outdoor sports, allotments and green infrastructure and a contribution of £246,500 to be spent towards the provision of off-site affordable housing.

The northern planning committee meeting takes place at Macclesfield Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday, October 2.