Purpose of this Consultation
Emery Planning will shortly be submitting a planning application on behalf of Merepark Project Management LLP (Merepark) for the demolition of existing buildings at 92 – 94 Church Lane, Marple and the construction of 24 residential units.
Emery Planning has been working alongside Merepark and Planit IE (landscape architects) to create a high quality scheme which will regenerate this poor quality, under utilised site, next to the town centre.
This website provides details of the proposed development and seeks comments from the local community. This is an opportunity for you to provide us with your comments and inform the final scheme prior to the submission of a planning application.
Site Context
The site comprises 92 and 94 Church Lane, which are former retail units, with offices to the rear and have been vacant for a number of years, the Albert Schools building which is part occupied by E&E Overalls, 92a Church Lane, a former office building and a number of garage units to the rear of the site.
The existing building heights on the site range from single storey to 2 ½ stories, with the main buildings varying in height across their structure.
All of the existing buildings are in a poor state of repair and 92 & 94 Church Lane in particular are, in the direct sight line, when walking south along Market Street and are very visually unattractive.
The site is located on Church Lane, opposite Market Street, which is the main pedestrianised shopping street in Marple.
In planning policy terms, the site lies at in an edge-of-centre location, close to the services and facilities provided within the town centre, but not actually forming part of the retail core.
The buildings are dated, energy inefficient, and subject to a number of incongruous and awkward additions.
Vehicular access to the site is currently obtained directly from Church Lane, to the east of numbers 92 and 94 and from Hibbert Lane, along a single width carriageway between 90 Church Lane and 1 Hibbert Lane, into the west side of the Albert Schools building.
The Proposal
The proposed 24 residential units will be accommodated within three apartment blocks. The main block (Block A) containing 12 two bed apartments will be sited in the current location of 92 and 94 Church Lane, with the main vehicular site access being to the west of this unit.
The other two apartment blocks (Blocks B & C), each containing 6 two bed apartments are sited to the rear (southern boundary) of the site, where the dilapidated garage buildings and 92b Church Lane are currently located.
Parking courts for the apartments are located adjacent to the respective blocks.
The secondary vehicle access point from Hibbert Lane will be retained as a pedestrian entrance with bollards to restrict vehicles.
The site layout has been respectfully designed, to take account of the exiting adjacent residential properties on Willow Grove, Lyme Grove and Hibbert Lane, which vary between two and three stories and also the change in levels across the site. To the east of the site and up towards Willow Grove the levels are higher. The levels then fall away to the west, down towards Hibbert Road which is the lowest point on the site.
There are currently no trees within the site boundary, however the proposed landscaping scheme takes the opportunity to introduce attractive green spaces within the site, including shrubs, trees and lawned areas to create an attractive setting for the apartments and overlooking neighbours
Each of the apartment blocks has its own dedicated parking court, with one parking space allocated to each apartment, as well as designated areas for cycle parking and refuse storage.
The proposed materials and finishes are intended to reflect the character of the Victorian properties adjacent to the site, with facing brickwork, steep gables, timber eaves, barge boards and finials under a slate roof and fenestration with stone heads and cills and mock sash casements.
Benefits of the Development
The proposed development would result in a number of benefits for the local community that would include:
- The provision of 24 residential units, which are much needed within the borough;
- The regeneration of a brownfield (previously developed) site, which is currently run down and tired in appearance;
- Redevelopment and investment in an under-utilised site, next to the services and facilities within Marple town centre;
- A sustainable development in a central location which is accessible by bus and train as well as to walkers and cyclists;
- A high quality architectural design and landscaped scheme, which is bespoke for the site and respects its surroundings; and
- A visual improvement for the whole site and the provision of modern standard, sustainable buildings for the long-term.
Have your say
We would like your views on the proposals and request that all responses be returned by Tuesday 14th June 2016. If you wish to discuss the project please contact us using the form below to send your feedback and comments, making sure that all of the required fields (*) are completed. If you do not want your name and address identifying you in our report on public consultation when we submit the planning application, then please let us know by ticking the privacy box below.