Planning Brief for Sim Chem House, Cheadle Hulme January 2015 1 Table of Contents Objective ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Site Information ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Planning History ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Site Features ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Constraints .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Accessibility ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Ground conditions .............................................................................................................................. 4 Planning Policies Affecting the Site ..................................................................................................... 4 Saved policies of the Stockport UDP Review .................................................................................. 4 LDF Core Strategy/Development Management policies ................................................................ 5 Supplementary Planning Documents.............................................................................................. 5 Other design guidance .................................................................................................................... 6 Validation Checklist ............................................................................................................................. 6 National Planning Policy ..................................................................................................................... 6 Potential Uses ................................................................................................................................. 6 Acceptable Uses .............................................................................................................................. 6 Preferred Uses ................................................................................................................................ 7 Unacceptable Uses .......................................................................................................................... 7 Housing ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Development Characteristics .............................................................................................................. 8 Building in Context ........................................................................................................................... 8 Energy & Carbon Emissions ................................................................................................................ 8 Materials ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Access .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Parking ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Landscaping......................................................................................................................................... 9 Security ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Noise ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Manchester Airport Safeguarding Zone.............................................................................................. 9 Planning Applications .......................................................................................................................... 9 Contacts ................................................................................................................................................ 10 APPENDIX 1 – Location Plan .................................................................................................................. 12 2 Objective The purpose of this document is to provide a planning brief to guide the future development of this important site in Cheadle Hulme District Centre in order to ensure it contributes to the local economy and the well-being of the local community. It also aims to provide certainty for interested parties looking to either reuse the Sim Chem building or to redevelop the site. Background Sim Chem House is a large 6 storey office building occupying a prominent position on Warren Road in the district centre of Cheadle Hulme (see Appendix 1 for location plan). The building has a total net internal area of approximately 7,614 sq m (81,956 sq ft). To the rear of the site is a public footpath running from Ladybridge Road to Cheadle Hulme Railway Station. The building is a prominent feature and is visible to users of the district centre, people passing through the centre of Cheadle Hulme including those using the adjacent footpath, nearby dwellings and from the nearby railway station. It lies approximately 3 miles away from access to the M60 and M56 motorways. The building was last occupied in early 2011 when the then occupying company, Simon Carves Limited moved to their new purpose built offices in Manchester. Since the building became vacant in 2011, it has suffered from anti-social behaviour including vandalism, graffiti and fly-tipping and its condition is deteriorating towards a derelict state. The Council first received complaints about the building not long after it was closed, in September 2011, when the rubbish in skips on the car park had been set alight. Since then, the building has deteriorated and the whole site was affected by vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The GM Fire Service, the Police and the Council have had to respond to raised concerns from monitoring the area for anti-social behaviour to repeated site visits with regards to litter, broken glass and offensive graffiti. Site Information The existing land use is offices with associated car parking (167 spaces) across a site of 1.27 acres (0.5 Hectares). Land ownership is as follows: The freehold (MAN250683) is owned by Mr Benjamin Sparrow of Trevelloe Carn, Penzance, TR19 6NS Simon Group plc sold their long leasehold interest in Sim-Chem House, the then headquarters of Simon-Carves Limited in Stockport, Cheshire to Padwick Properties Limited of Gibraltar in 2000. The sale formed part of a sale and leaseback transaction whereby Simon-Carves Limited has entered into a 21 year lease of the property, which has been guaranteed by Simon Group (there is no record of that lease with the Land Registry). Padwick Properties Limited is the current proprietor; they are in liquidation so the property vests in Colliers as trustees. 3 Colliers International are acting on behalf of Erste Abwicklungsanstalt of WestLB, London Branch, Woolwich Exchange, Basinghall Street, London, EC2V 5HA which has the first liquid charge against the property. Planning History The building was constructed during the 1960’s. Originally named Griffin House, it is a purpose built office building and has retained in this use ever since. As such there is no significant planning history. Of note is the fact the adjacent office building, Lerryn House, 6 Warren Street, has recently been converted to 11 residential apartments (see Planning Application Ref: DC/055176) The details of this application can be viewed online at: http://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData/ It is assumed, given the existing use of the site, that all main services are available to the site from the adjacent highways; details can be obtained from the appropriate statutory provider. Site Features Constraints Whilst the site is located in an area that scores well in strategic accessibility terms, access to the site is via a narrow street network which includes a one way system. Residential uses exist close-by and the site is bounded along its eastern side by a footpath and railway line. Any proposals that require planning consent will therefore need to be carefully considered against the impact on the District Centre, the nearby residential uses and the capacity and safety of the highway network. The site is in private ownership. Accessibility Cheadle Hulme District Centre has excellent train links to Stockport and Manchester, and points south. There are good bus services, and, after Stockport Town Centre, Cheadle Hulme District Centre is one of the most accessible locations in the Borough. Ground conditions There is no current information regarding ground conditions. Any interested parties will need to carryout suitable ground investigation work at the appropriate time. Planning