Plans to build a new car dealership with a showroom, workshops, car display areas, bodyshops, offices and car parking on land at Coppice Way in Handforth have been refused by the Strategic Planning Board this week.
Halliwell Jones were refused planning permission for a modern car showroom on a vacant site adjacent to Handforth Dean retail park which would have secured 133 existing jobs and created approximately 36 new permanent jobs.
The proposed development was refused because it has not been demonstrated that the site is no longer suitable or viable for employment use; the proposal results in the loss of open space and no assessment to show the open space is surplus to requirements was submitted.
It was also considered that the proposed development does not adequately reflect the established character of the site or make a positive contribution to the immediate surroundings.
Additionally, the proposal was consider to result in less than substantial harm to the setting of a gradeII* listed building, which is not sufficiently justified, it is anticipated that there will be a significant loss of woodland cover, no survey has been carried out to determine the presence of roosting bats and the proposals to address the loss of habitat, which is considered to be of sufficient value to be designated as a Local Wildlife Site, are inadequate.
Also, the submitted ecological assessment did not consider the potential impact of the proposed development upon Great Crested Newts associated with the ponds located at Handforth Hall.
The new development would have enabled Halliwell Jones to consolidate their sales, servicing and repair activities, which are currently split across three local sites on the corner of Manchester Road and Dean Row Road, Summerfield Village Centre and the Brooke Park employment area off Lower Meadow Road.
Comments
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surely ANY business is "employment use"?
Will need to deal with the bats and the great crested newts though.
I am amazed the application is not accompanied by very professionally carried out ecological and environmental surveys and plans to address the issues and wonder why Halliwell Jones did not withdraw until these were settled. So what is the agenda? Whatever, as one who studies numerous applications for developments on behalf of RoW, inconsistency in the decision making process does need explaining.
Many may think these demands are unreasonable but they are a commercial reality.
I have no specific knowledge of the case in point - only general awareness. If Halliwell Jones do not get planning permission for the proposed site, someone else will be empowered to develop an alternative (maybe HJ) on a site outside Wilmslow. The Wilmslow jobs are at significant risk.
Whatever happens, the current HJ site at the traffic lights will go - it only exists for historic reasons and would never be allowed under current planning rules. It is not fit for purpose in the 2018 environment for either BMW or an alternative motor dealer.
On the other hand, the proposed development looks to be well thought out and I can not see the basis of the objections. The proposed site is certainly not pretty, it does not provide access to open space for walkers/ wildlife enthusiasts and is surrounded by retail parks and office developments. I would have considered this site “Brown field” in character whatever it’s legal status. An ideal location for a plan which preserves jobs and provides the potential for increases in the labour force in the future.
The Manufacture will control the whole process of where they would like the premises to be be, which will include the size and design of the premises. The number of bays in the Car park and workshop, and so on. And I may add, even the signing off of the Plans!
The Manufacturer normally has a system where they give a Licence to a business on a rolling 2 year basis. During this time the Business is always on probation, having to comply with certain rules and objectives set by the Manufacture.
Failure to comply - will result in the Manufacture warning the Business/Company they are in breach of these set guidelines, leading possibly, to the Franchise agreement being cancelled! Which normally ends up with the business closing.
Lack of foresight by CE Council, jepordising the future business of a Company that's been in the area for some time - borders on stupidity!