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Health, Care & Assisted Living
Marple Dale, Stockport
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Client
Seddon Developments Ltd
Local Planning Authority
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
We engaged proactively with the local planning authority and the community as part of our planning strategy for the redevelopment of this former care home in the Green Belt.
In addition to its Green Belt status, the scheme, for 19 new homes, is located within the grounds of an operational care home, meaning we also had to carefully consider this sensitive ongoing use.
The key challenges involved demonstrating that the development would preserve the openness of the Green Belt and addressing local concerns.
We liaised closely with local residents who raised concerns about the principle of development and worried about whether access along a privately owned access road would continue. After diligently addressing the community’s concerns, the application was hailed as an exemplar of community consultation when approved at planning committee.
In Summer 2022, the Royal Town Planning Institute agreed, when this project won its award for planning excellence in the small schemes (below 50 units) planning for communities category.
It is clear from speaking with those involved in the process, that open and continuous dialogue with local people and the care home was fundamental to ensuring this small scheme was developed effectively.
That is not to say that there was not resistance to the scheme, but the planning process allowed for the developer and their planning consultants to work with the community in a very personal and proactive way (well beyond the statutory minima) to overcome objection and concerns.
RTPI NW judging panel