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by Lib Dem team on 13 March, 2013
We all want something to happen to the old Nat West bank in Gatley, but surely not another fast food takeaway.
But that’s what’s being proposed and planning application has been applied for change of use (Appliction 51651).
If you agree with me that we don’t need another hot food takeaway in Gatley, please register your objection to the application now.
My view is simple – we already have a lot of takeaways in Gatley and we should not have any more.
33 Comments
I think that instead of always being negative about what we do not want how about suggesting something that we do want.
A branch of Nat West in Gatley would be a help.
Why does no developer buy up at least one if not two rows of old shops, pull them down, then build housing or maybe offices in their place ?
Methinks, given all our changing shopping habits,Gatley simply has far too many such properties now.
First choice for demolition ? – the TATTON Buildings !
I agree we do not need another take away. Workman in there a while ago told me is was going to be a cafe/wine bar, what happened to that?
Not another takeaway please! Gatley is turning into \takeaway City\, no wonder people don’t shop on the high street anymore, every shop that closes pops up as a takeaway.
Anybody who has watched the BBC programme the planners would see what power you councillors have on matters of planning.
Do the job you are elected to do and help your constituents Gatley needs another takeaway like it needs a derelict cinema that nobody wants.
Thanks for all the comments.
Malcolm – I’m not aware that Nat West have any plans to return to Gatley, but who knows.
Robert – In general terms, I agree – given our changing shopping habits and the need for more housing, there’s a strong case for converting some former retail units into housing or office space.
Carol – I don’t know, but I would guess it was a deal that fell through.
Sue – I agree!
Ian – Thank you for your support for my campaign. Sadly, councillors don’t always get our way on planning decision, though. If councillors approve an application, there is no right of appeal for opponents so in that case councillors can decide it. When councillors want to reject an application, the situation is very different. The applicant can appeal and the final decision is taken by a planning inspector. In short, we need to have solid planning grounds to reject an application and even then the decision can sometimes be overturned.
Ian
I agree with what you say about comncillors ability to reject an application and it is right and proper an applicant can appeal. What is needed is a planning policy developed which encourages start up business which is of use to the community and not to allow the coffee chains Tescos the co-op etc to monopolise our high street. Who ever allowed the co-op to have two stores on the same high street in Gatley wants their head feeling.
Without firm action now the high street will be dead in 10 years,
Hi Ian,
That’s an interesting point. Actually, the two Co-ops both do very good business (much higher trade than most other Co-op stores) so there’s a good case for them to be around.
We have our planning policies, and they have to be consistent with national policy.
Since 1987 national planning policy has been build around “planning use classes” (see http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/changeofuse/).
In general terms, you only need planning permission to change the use class. So, for example, if a pet shop exist it can be changed into a convenience store or a bookshop without planning permission, because it’s in the same use class. If you wanted to change the pet shop into a hot food takeaway, you would need planning permission as that’s a different use class (A1 – A5).
There are some exceptions. For example, you can go from A4 (Pub) to A1 (Shop) without planning permission, which is what Tesco did with the Red Lion.
As our local planning policy has to comply with national policy, there’s no way we can override that.
We can (and do) have limits on the number of takeaways. We got those added to our planning policy last year. As far as I know they’ve not yet been tested in an appeal to the independent planning inspector, so I’m keen that we look at this application fairly and build a strong case here with good, solid planning grounds.
Although not relevant here, planning policy also allows us to reject an out-of-town development if the same thing could be provided in-town. This is another recent change to protect our High Streets and has been used in Stockport most recently as grounds to reject the ASDA proposed for the college site in Marple.
May I add my agreement with all your other correspondents. We do not need yet another take away in Gatley, particularly one in such a prominent position. The idea of changing some of the shops back into housing sounds extremely sensible but probably won’t bring in as much revenue from rates so probably won’t get the go ahead.
From the council side, we can and do approve sensible applications to turn empty shops into offices or houses.
Rates aren’t an issue – the bigger problem seems to be that most developers prefer not to – they want to stick with what they know which is building new houses from the ground up.
There are of course quite a few houses in Gatley that used to be shops – on Gatley Green, for example.
Oh no! Not another take away. yes I agree that something needs to be done with the building….but please…..not another take away.
well why not another coop , ” they are doing good trade ” i mean if this is the benchmark for planning/change of use approval god help us
Hello Iain,
Your point regarding the co-op is of concern to me in that you appear to be giving them a reason to be there in two locations on the high street because they are doing good business.
My attitude towards the co-op differs from the other main supermarkets as they have tried to be more ethical and to use British suppliers in the past, but is should be remmebered that small independant retailers ,the butcher the green grocer and the poor old milkman cannot compete and it is this policy which has allowed our high streets to be come a wilderness. I agree with Sajeel 100% and not your views.
The country is struggling with its population becoming obese. Allowing another Fast Food / takeaway to appear in an already congested food emporium in such a small village is absolute bonkers. Why not turn it into a small fitness centre instead.
Against another takeaway.
Definitely NOT another take- away. The eateries already have competition in that the bakeries have put small amounts of table/bars with chairs/stools inside their premises. I realise they are daytime and take-aways are on the whole after business hours, but it depletes the viable use of property for a (hopefully) retail use. And please, not another charity shop either. We already have eight in Cheadle High Street as it is, and I’d rather see Sue Ryder’s shop continue, than have competition.
I e-mailed Dave Fishwick (Bank of Dave) to see if he was interested in taking up one of the empty banks in Gatley. Not had a response yet. Please, not another indian/chinese take away. Should one planning permission, i suggest all opponents avoid using it until out goes out of business.
How do all the existing takeaways (and hairdressers) make a profit? Don’t want any more of either, nor do we want shop premises turned into houses. We need the shops to bring the place to life and stimulate interaction with other residents and shopkeepers. It would be a very dull and boring place without shops.
I believe that this vociferous negativity by a distinct minority of the electorate has caused the demise of Gatley as a retail centre.
The hysterical opposition to a convenience store and care home on the Tatton site epitomised the problem. Compare with Cheadle – several big name chain stores, a variety of independents, and far fewer take-away outlets.
Had Gatley embraced the Dickens proposal for Tatton Buildings, I believe that the increased footfall would have attracted smaller retailers.
Unfortunately only the fast food stores are now interested. Gatley is getting what it deserved by over-interference with the free market economy.
I am amazed at the arrogance or ignorance of those residents who think they can dictate their requirements for Church Road. Entrepreneurs are not going to set up loss making businesses. Just have a look at the ridiculous suggestions on Facebook Gatley page to understand the problem.
Also, to read reactions on here and on FB, one would think that a brothel was being proposed. These shops do not create the parking and litter problems which the reactionaries claim. They are relatively unobtrusive, provide employment, and fulfill real demand.
I agree with Robert. Time to pull down 50% of the retail units and build housing.
Along with most Gatley residents I expect,my opinion is that the last thing we need in the village is another take away of any sort. We are in a very difficult situation when developers are reluctant to invest and small businesses struggling. However, I think Gatley is in great danger of becoming like Northenden where every other shop is now a restaurant, bar or take away. It is important that this application is resisted. I hate to see closed shops and the Tatton site is an eyesore but yet another take away is not going to enhance the village in any way.
I notice that Mr. Ahmed, the applicant, lives in Wilmslow, so he’s going to be unburdened with yet another takeaway on his own doorstep. This mass takeover of our high streets has to stop, please!
I’m against it, and have registered my objection as required via the planning app. I personally see no issue with 2 Co-ops in the village. They’re obviously happy with the situation and at least that’s one less empty, large shop. As for us against being in the minority, that’s not how how count the numbers above.
Didn’t residents also object to the Tandoori Fusion application last year and that is now open?
I am strongly against yet another takeaway. We will be in danger of losing our ‘Village’ and just being a fast food drive through. Stop it before it’s too late
I object to another take away. Where will people park?
There must be someone who can fund a fitness studio or a Dress Shop. We are very short of Fashion shops.
Yes Iain, there are quite a few houses that used to be shops in Gatley but there are also quite a few shops that used to be houses, particularly on the stretch from Elm Road going up Church Road. I should know, I’ve lived here a long time!
Would love to see an artison bakery,.gift shop, chocolate shop, greengrocer, deli, craft shop, cafe bakers, bistro the opportunities are endless have a look atChorlton. I really don’t know why we dont get more interest for such shops in our lovely area
My partner, I and many of our Gatley parent friends object to the proposal for another takeaway. There are already far too many places for people of all ages to buy junk food and drink, in polystyrene boxes and cans and bottles that end up littering our drives/front gardens, discarded irresponsibly on their way home, or dumped by the kids to end up on the banks of the brook at the co-op entrance to Gatley Recreation ground.
Furthermore we feel that the normalisation of a poor diet, as promoted (perhaps unintentionally but that cannot be ignored) by the presence of so many fast food outlets, is irresponsible to the local children and youth. It doesn’t set a good example.
Perhaps if the applicant wishes to contribute to the community meaningfully and not just simply to line their own pockets, they could offer to provide litter picking as a condition of their application?
Furthermore we don’t feel that garish signage and lighting will do anything for the character or reputation of the village at such an important and prominent position (which could otherwise serve to attract other entrepreneurs). We do not wish to live in Rusholme 2 and neither will anybody else with any money.
Anyone who thinks that filling empty units with takeaways will improve their house price needs their “head feeling”.
We would like to take this opportunity to applaud Coffee Fix and Me Time for such excellent new additions to Gatley life!
Cllr Roberts I applaud your objection to this proposal, where do we need to officially lodge our complaints?
I agree with you that we don’t need another hot food takeaway in Gatley and wish to register my objection to the application.
In one of your replies above you state that:
‘We can (and do) have limits on the number of takeaways’ – are you able to tell us what these limits are?
To respond to the last few comments:
– Now 54 objections listed so thank you for having your say. Anyone else wanted to object needs to go here.
Gwyn – the policy issue is complicated and I’m still tracking down the details. Over a year ago we proposed changes to include a maximum percentage of takeaways in the new planning policy. I am now trying to find out if that new policy has come into force.
Duncan- we opposed the Tandoori Fusion and the planning application was rejected by the Council. Unfortunately, that was overturned by the independent inspector on appeal.
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Please not another take away. What about a book shop or a good stationers.
Iain – My earlier point regarding the previous application for Tandoori Fusion and your confirmation that it was originally rejected by the council but then overturned by the independent inspector on appeal does make you question local democracy. If the majority of residents oppose the application for sound reason but our views are ignored by another body (I am not aware of the criteria they based their rejection on) then what is the point of residents opposing in the first place?
[…] I would like to thank everyone who has supported my campaign to stop another takeaway opening up in Gatley. […]