The Assistant Director (Localities) will attend the meeting for the item.
Minutes:
The meeting was attended by David Fowler (Assistant Director – Localities) to provide an update on issues that had been raised by local residents.
Updates were received on the following:-
Porada Restaurant – car park installed without planning permission, hedge removed. Discussion had taken place with the Chief Executive of Bury Council and it was decided that the views of local people be sought before agreeing on action. The options included action to reinstate the area, accept and regulate the car park and seek payment from the owners of the restaurant building and site and request that a planning application is made.
The Chair summarised the feeling expressed at previous meetings that residents believed that a land grab had taken place which was unacceptable. People had pride in their area and to disregard the ownership of land and carryout development without permission was not right. The area of land was also within a conservation area.
Mr Marshall stated that the planning permission given for the development of the restaurant did not give the Council as the owner and if this was the case, was the decision illegal. Also the development of the car park did not enhance the conservation area it was in.
Mr Fowler reported that a certificate of ownership had been presented for the planning application. The planning application decision did still stand and the period for a judicial review had passed. If a retrospective planning application was submitted for the car park then adjacent properties would be notified, site notices posted and details listed on the Council website.
Former Natwest Building - Bury New Road access to the car park had been blocked off. Access to the Metrolink had been restricted.
The owner of the building and site had installed the blocks to prevent access on to the site. The Council is unable to act on the matter. A petition is ongoing regarding the access to the Metrolink.
Parking on Hamilton Road – planning permission would be required.
34-44 Radcliffe New Road – removal of restrictions – The Council will look at this proposal.
High Bank junction – Mercedes dealership – the Council is considering action to protect the junction to prevent parking.
Hickory Grange – the development was started but has been shelved. The Council can only encourage its completion in view of the site being in a good state and is protected by a perimeter fence.
Whitefield Town Hall – dialogue has taken place with owner. A proposal was made to increase the size of the development which included the purchase of a piece of land from the Council.
Councillor Caserta reported that following a legal challenge on the sale price of the land a decision had determined the price for the piece of land identified. A meeting has now been arranged to take place with the owner who was willing to enter into an agreement with the Council which would return the land to the Council the development had not started by a specific deadline, in accordance with a new planning permission approval.
Pilsworth – former cinema complex site – demolition work had started and a pre-application meeting was planned with the owner and Council planning officers on development proposals.
Uplands – nothing to report
Sedgley Park Rugby Club – a planning application for a 400 seat temporary stand was proposed. No details on parking had been received.
Councillor Mallon reported that Swinton RUFC was considering a move following promotion. Arrangements and solutions for parking around the ground would be critical.
Stand Cricket Club – Councillor Mallon reported that there were parking issues regarding visitors to the club parking on the road in the surrounding area.
Parking Consultation – Councillor Mallon stated that a consultation on the parking arrangements in Whitefield was needed to discuss and consider the best way to allow parking arrangements to develop in order to sustain shops and businesses. The current parking arrangements may have a negative impact on the vitality of the area and could result in businesses relocating if a workable solution was not found.