Residential scheme slated for approval, despite raft of objections

Manchester City Council planning committee has been recommended to approve construction of a 76-apartment scheme in Didsbury, at next Thursday’s (January 19) committee meeting, despite a raft of objections.

The proposal involves the construction of a part eight and part six storey building with ground floor medical centre use, associated car parking on a two-tiered decked car park and landscaping and infrastructure.

Its location is a vacant site on Clearwater Drive, bound by The Boulevard, The Avenue, Didsbury High School and existing properties, proposed by applicant Derek Greatorex, of Southway Housing Trust.

The site currently comprises overgrown scrub and trees, as well as a small single storey services building on the site which is redundant.

Prior to the site’s clearance in the early 2000s, it formed part of the wider Withington Hospital site, the redevelopment of which has taken place over a period of 20 years to form a mix of houses, apartments, commercial uses and, more recently, the construction of a new secondary school.

The site is the last parcel of cleared former hospital land that remains. It has previously been the subject of planning applications for redevelopment for offices and car parking, although none of these proposals was developed.

Notification of the scheme generated 185 comments, 182 of which were objections to the proposals.

Amongst the concerns raised are the level of car parking proposed as part of the development, the scale of the proposed building in the context of the local area, that the proposal would result in the loss of daylight and overshadowing, loss of privacy and overlooking of existing residential properties, and that the proposals represent an overdevelopment of the site.

However, it is considered that the principle of high density residential development in this part of South Manchester does accord with the adopted planning policies and planning policy framework.

Notes to the planning committee say the proposal would provide much needed affordable housing and an improved health care facility.

It is also recognised that this is a sustainable location near tram stops and bus routes, schools and local facilities.

The notes say the form and design of the development is considered acceptable for the site, given its specific context and character.

They add that careful consideration has been given to the siting, scale and appearance of the development to ensure it is high quality, sustainable and minimises any impacts on existing residents.

The notes conclude: “With above in mind, the proposal accords with all national and local planning policies and guidance.”