Residents living near the Sale Point office block in Sale have been told that their objections to its conversion into 80 apartments ‘are not applicable’. The locals, who live adjacent to the six-storey building on the A56 Washway Road – a key route from Altrincham into Manchester – argue that the development will exacerbate existing traffic and parking issues.
They have also expressed concerns about the ability of local schools and doctors’ surgeries to accommodate the influx of new residents. The plans to transform the 1970s building are currently under review by Trafford council’s planning officers.
However, as the conversion falls under ‘permitted development’ regulations, the decision will be made by planning officers, not the borough’s planning committee. The final decision is still pending.
In this week’s committee meeting, a separate application was approved for the replacement of all windows and frames at Sale Point, additional window openings, and the installation of Juliette balconies, seemingly paving the way for the eventual approval of the conversion. Despite this, 15 letters of objection were received from neighbouring residents, highlighting concerns over the impact on the highway network, local services such as doctors’ surgeries and schools, and ongoing parking issues.
Nevertheless, a report to the committee stated that the applicant, Blueoak Estates Ltd’s plan, was ‘in line with local, regional and national policies’, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“The proposal is considered to have been designed appropriately and will not have any unacceptable impact on the amenity and quality of life of adjacent residents,” the statement read.
Trafford’s major projects planning officer, Sarah Lowes, informed councillors of a ‘separate and pending’ change-of-use application from office to residential that falls under ‘nationally set permitted development rights’, which officers have ‘fully delegated’ authority to decide upon.
Councillor Simon Thomas highlighted that the ongoing use of the building wasn’t being scrutinised by the planning committee. “I can see no reason, without much debate, why we can’t agree with the officers’ recommendation to approve it,” he said.
Councillor Mike Cordingley concurred, but added: “I can understand why the residents feel that the planning system isn’t working for them. I can see why they’ve objected. Those objections are not applicable to this application, and so we’re doing the right thing by allowing it.
“But that doesn’t remove the feeling of unease that this is not working for them and that they’ve got an opinion that needs to be heard. I’m just putting it on record, that I hear what they’re saying.”
During discussions earlier in the day with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, residents expressed their concerns. A resident of Westbourne Grove, who chose to remain anonymous, said “The major issue here is around parking. There are not going to be anywhere near enough parking spaces for the people living in that block.”
Discussing past difficulties before residential parking permits and a two-hour waiting restriction were introduced, they said these measures were necessary due to ‘a lot of problems’.
These Victorian villas sit in the shadow of Sale Point (Image: LDRS)Another local voiced frustrations, commenting: “The traffic around here is horrendous. We feel like we are prisoners here sometimes.”
Residents from surrounding streets including Westgate, Walnut Grove, Barkers Lane, and St Mary’s Road also lodged complaints. A Westgate inhabitant was apprehensive about privacy, stating: “We will be overlooked directly by the apartments. They will be able to look directly into our rooms and gardens. There will also be an increase in illegal and obstructive parking.
“There are already difficulties getting out of the Barkers Lane/Washway Road junction. There is also limited capacity for local schools and GPs.”
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