Town Councillors present: C. Barnes, L.E. Dowson, D.T. Gladding, I.S.E. Huddlestone,
D. Rae (Chair), S.E. Rae.

Planning Applications

HPK/2003/0017 Conversion of shop at 33-35 Union Rd into Volunteer Centre. Cllr Lance Dowson declared an interest as the HPBC representative on the Volunteer Centre Management Committee. Cllr Donald Rae declared that the Town Council formally own the building which is leased back to the Volunteer Centre, but that does not prevent the Town Council from commenting on the application. David Morton of Kinder View said he had written in detail about residents concerns. He said he has no issue with what the Volunteer Centre does, rather with the consequences of parking. A considerable number of meeting rooms overlook their property from a higher level. There is provision for only 3 parking spaces, but the number of meeting rooms indicates that more parking is likely. The reality is that when New Mills is busy cars park on Kinder View, as do users of the current Volunteer Centre. This application can only make matters worse.

Cllr Chris Barnes felt they must support the work of the Volunteer Centre, which does a great job. He sympathised with concerns of residents. The use of Torr Top carpark needs enforcing. Dorothy Scapens, Manager of the Volunteer Centre, said there are just two staff, only one of whom uses a car. Not many visitors use carpark spaces, as most are non-drivers and would be dropped-off at the front of the building. So the parking requirement is not likely to be much different from now.

Chair Donald Rae indicated that the application for rear parking was for disabled access, others would use Torr Top carpark. The changes to the shop front are a great improvement from the conservation point of view. Being overlooked is a problem. He enquired if councillors are minded to approve the application with reservations about the use of parking and being overlooked. Dorothy Scapens said there would be no extra windows, only in the roof, which cannot be seen out of. These can only be at the back according to conservation planning.

HPK/2003/0031-35 St Mary's Hall. Again standing orders were suspended to allow the public to speak. Resident Tom Pollock read out a statement of objections - as a much valued community asset the demolition of the Hall should be viewed in isolation from what may be done with the site afterwards, it directly contravenes HPBC policy CF1. The application for 5 houses also contravenes HPBC policies to restrain housing development in order to avoid urban sprawl, regarding traffic management, character form and design, amenity and landscaping.

Another resident expressed concerns about the redevelopment of the school building, which goes against sustainable development. The Kid's Club will have to move. It is used by 180 families in New Mills and Disley for day care and also for before and after school care and on holidays. The owner employs and trains several people who will be made unemployed.

Lance Dowson said a meeting at the Library Lecture room had been arranged at short notice, where 20-30 people had expressed their concerns. Policy CF1 also applies to the school change of use. Use by 16-18 cars, plus vehicles at the Parish Hall, would worsen already difficult access on the bend. Chris Barnes thought it a shame to loose the Kids Club and the Hall, to be replaced by houses, he would like to see it remain as it is.

Cllr Sheila Rae described the real fight as at HPBC. She felt the Hall and Kid's Club had to be seen together as the parking serves both. It looked like over-development to put 5 houses on this space. Cllr Ian Huddlestone felt the loss of the community facility to housing had similar arguments to those for the St George's Rd site - there is no need for more houses. Cllr Gladding agreed with everything said so far.

Lance Dowson thought there to be questions over an application for change of use of the school without any building work. Chair Donald Rae considered the applications go against planning guidance. He could not see where the Kid's Club could go. Regarding the bowling green, over which there had been concern at a meeting before Christmas, the terms of sale/lease of the green mean it would have to be returned to HPBC if there was a change of use.

The applications were then considered individually. 0031 for demolition of the Parish Hall and building of 5 houses was described by Sheila Rae as over-development with loss of parking for Kid's Club. Lance agreed to reject on grounds of over-development, since there is no need for extra houses, and on grounds of loss of amenity and highway issues. 0032 for Conservation Area Consent for demolition of the Hall should be rejected on the same grounds. 0033 for demolition of the Presbytery and erection of new Parish Hall - Donald Rae suggested they could accept this, but not the loss of the other buildings. 0034 Conservation Area Consent for demolition of Presbytery - Lance Dowson thought there to be a rule that a building cannot be knocked down in a Conservation Area unless it is replaced. Donald Rae said there would be less residents in the new flat above the Hall than in the current Presbytery. Sheila Rae wondered if they should ask the residents about the Presbytery - resident Tom Pollock described the church as a lovely building. He had no objection to the new Hall apart from the skylights. He felt the glass link to the church should not be allowed. Another resident worried about the entrance to the new Hall being on a blind bend.

Chair Donald Rae summed up the concerns about all the applications on the grounds of access. There are 14 proposed rear parking spaces and the access is in a more dangerous place than for the present Hall. 0035 for the change of use of the school should be rejected on loss of a valuable community facility. Lance said to quote CF1.

Sheila Rae again stressed that HPBC could ignore all the recommendations of the Town Council, and in the past have not even listened. The residents were encouraged to make representations to the Development Control Committee. Lance said that they were likely to discuss this on Mon 24th Feb.

No objections were raised to applications 0043, 0044, 0045, CON/2003/006.

0061 - Detached house to replace bungalow at Brookdale, Church Ln - Cllr Dowson reviewed the situation - there was a previous successful application for a bungalow, enlargement of which was subsequently requested but turned down as requiring a new application. Cllr Donald Rae said they could approve, but express concerns about previous issues. Chris Barnes did not object to one house replacing another, but the highways issues need looking at. Lance Dowson said the new drive has 5 parking spaces and a garage. There is dispute about this being the garden of the property. Chair Donald Rae asked if the councillors are suggesting to reject the application as creating space to build other houses.

0062 - Agricultural building off Castle Edge Rd - Chris Barnes said there were objections to the building being remote from other farm buildings. He sympathised with neighbouring residents. The building could be put on Mellor Rd.

There was no objection to 0063.
Regarding 0064 for a detached dwelling at the rear of Holker Lea on High Lea Rd, a previous application was passed for a bungalow in 1995.

---

Other Matters

Spinnerbottom - there remain reservations regarding liability. No further progress.

Litter - agreement has been made for payment of litter-picking from Church Ln to Torrs.

Ollersett Playing Fields - Chair Donald Rae said there was need to move on discussions with PMP consultants. Sheila Rae said that landfill tax credits have rule changes in April, money will go to recycling projects.

High Lea Hall toilets - drains can be replaced by parks staff.

Torr Vale Mill - the Borough and County are to appoint a partnership manager for the project, which is blocked over responsibility issues. The Trust has not met since Oct 2002.

Congratulations were formally noted for Graham Boardman on receipt of his award for work with the Bonfire Committee.

---

At this point the public were asked to leave.