Cheadle and Gatley Lib Dems are moving
Graham, Tom and Ian
Your Lib Dem team for Cheadle West & Gatley Learn more
What were the local issues four decades ago?
Cheadle and Gatley Lib Dems are moving
Cheadle and Gatley Lib Dems are moving
What were the local issues four decades ago?
Cheadle and Gatley Lib Dems are moving
New proposal for Barnes Hospital site
by Lib Dem team on 26 November, 2014
The new proposals for Barnes Hospital
A while back we gave planning permission for the latest proposals to save Barnes Hospital – converting the hospital building into apartments and building a mix of apartments and houses on the land around it so it all stacked up financially.
As most of you will know, that didn’t go ahead and the Barnes site has sat untouched since then (apart from some work to secure the site properly and to protect the hospital building from further deterioration). Despite all the efforts before to get the money side to work, that seems to have been where the problem was.
Now there’s a new proposal for the site. It’s similar to the last one, but actually involves fewer new homes. Take a look at the details below. A new planning application will need to be submitted, allowing everyone to have their say on these proposals.
(The document here is aimed at local councillors, and we’ve got agreement from the developers to make it public. The plans will be press released next week).
13 Comments
Mefears this fine building be doomed – on account of the awkwardness of its location – one way in, one way out, and then, only really with your own wheels.
Unless Stocky council goes really green – and closes off all those infuriating motorway slip roads ? !
There’s only one car access point, but that’s fairly common for developments of that size (e.g. Eden Park, also directly off the A34 but to the south, near Stanley Green) and not a particular problem.
We’ve got a second pedestrian/cycle access to that will go from the back of the site, over the footbridge and into Cheadle village centre via Mill Lane.
Although there are challenges with every new build proposal I think it’s good that this piece of land will be developed responsibly and create new homes. We have a housing shortage in the UK and I think it’s better to build on a site like this which is just going to become derelict if not redeveloped.
It is valid to raise concerns regarding car access as the road is already congested – it will be interesting to see what the expected effect will be.
I am also interested to know if the developer will be required to make any contribution towards developing local amenity provision for the increased population? Will the green area near the M60 be a public access park, children’s play area or sports facility?
Another reason to improve parking in Gatley – it would be good to bring the new population into Gatley for shopping (as well as Cheadle of course) but without a vision on how parking can be improved in the long term it is difficult to see that happening.
More traffic for the A34 / Gatley Road junction – not to mention outside the site.
Are there any first time buyers homes in this development.
As I have said previously on the past proposals, any development on this site will only add further congestion to the Gatley Junction. It will be unsafe for cars to turn right to leave this site, so the options are either additional traffic lights, or all traffic turning left!
All the Councillors go on about the problems of traffic at this junction, yet fail to appreciate that any development will only add to the problem.
There is no practical answer to the principal underlying problem – access and exit. There are no shops or amenities within walking reach – even if the footbridge through the back of the Alex is considered (I would never use that route at night – although to re-build the footbridge and make a road through the side of the Alex might help, but would push the traffic onto Manchester Road) to get into Cheadle. The volume of additional traffic, congestion and pollution to this area will be compounded.
I reluctantly objected to the planning last time – and the absolute spin/political nonsense talked about traffic issues was beyond belief.
I think planning for so many units should be withdrawn. The existing building – which is an ugly duckling from any view (and I remember visiting when it was in use) – should be pulled down. some buildings have a life span and this one has reached it. the are could be turned into a nature reserve or something of that ilk – although vehicle access will still be an issue.
A final point: If the development does actually get built, will traffic exiting be able to turn right (i.e. northbound)? If so, there will need to be traffic controls – or is the council anticipating it will all come through the South Park Estate with all the other illegal users who think that the MPH means ‘Must Pass Hurriedly …………………………..?
I have to agree; you couldn’t think of a worse location to bring in a new development with its traffic. It’s an island basically.
It’s a shame as I’m sure first time homes would be of great benefit, but we really can’t think that we can accommodate more traffic through this junction or onto Manchester Rd?
However, of we could sort the tram quickly, the line does run right next to the development…
I will add that I suspect this is possibly one of the un-healthiest spots, in terms of air pollution in Stockport. The developments is surrounded by often nose to tail, slow moving (often stationary) traffic, God knows what the air quality is on that site is like.
“It will become derelict if not developed” is a contradiction in terms – in terms of pollution, traffic congestion and noise development increases all of those. It is sites that are green spaces that do the opposite and provide more space for recreation for the local community!
Who on earth would want the 360 views of our motorway system from their upstairs window anyway – never mind the noise levels that come with them?
And based on the council’s genius in putting a left hand filter lane in at the Gatley lights for Kingsway (instead of the blatantly obvious need for a RIGHT HAND filter lane)… do we think the council is actually capable of planning an effective infrastructure for the additional load any development of this site would put on our area?
The planning office is clearly populated by either people who don’t live in our area (or have to use its roadways) or – more likely – a bunch of chimpanzees trained to answer phones and use emails.
It beggars belief. The council is so opposed to any development on the A34 bypass outside of its area (because it will add to the traffic in our borough) but would consider a major development at one of the boroughs most congested junctions. I think we need to sort out the traffic situation before we start adding to the problem.
Hi Garry – I should correct a couple of misconceptions.
The Council doesn’t oppose *any* development on the A34 bypass and neither do I. What I oppose is development in the green belt where the alternatives haven’t been looked at, and development where no consideration has been given to how the extra traffic will be dealt with and its impact mitigated.
The reality is we need more houses (as does everywhere in the country) and wherever you build them, they’ll generate traffic that will come onto main roads. It’s how you do it that matters.
In this case (the Barnes Hospital site), it’s a planning application. That means a developer submits the proposal and the council looks at it. The question about traffic is one the council considers as part of that, asking whether the proposals mitigate against increased traffic to the extent required by planning law.
The details of the proposal have yet to come forward, though a previous (approved) application a couple of years ago did pass that test.