Ribble Valley Council’s planning committee has been warned that repeated appeal losses could trigger government intervention and potentially remove some local planning autonomy. The warning comes as members prepare to determine two housing applications totalling 165 homes, including one recommended for refusal despite the council’s recent appeal setbacks.
This article is a satirical roundup of several North West property and local government stories, including a rejected housing scheme in Sandbach, a commercial launch at a Manchester resi scheme, and ongoing political deadlock at Oldham Council. It also briefly notes a new wellbeing-focused gym opening at Manchester’s Treehouse hotel.
Westmorland Farmshop & Co has secured funding from HSBC UK to support the £65m Tatton Services scheme on the M56 in Cheshire. The development, which includes a large amenity building, hotel and fuel station, was approved after a planning inquiry that considered Green Belt and grey belt issues.
The article examines how Andy Burnham’s housing approach, shaped by his record in Greater Manchester, may not translate well nationally. It argues that while planning reform, council housebuilding and devolved delivery could support supply, SME housebuilders are already under pressure from weak market conditions, viability constraints and planning delays.
Cheshire East Council’s planning department has recommended approval for 168 homes in Wilmslow, despite the scheme conflicting with local plan policy on safeguarded land. The recommendation is driven in part by the council’s inability to demonstrate a statutory five-year housing land supply, which weakens the authority’s position if the application is refused.
Cumberland has approved plans to convert Victory House and Caledonian Mill near Carlisle’s Victoria Viaduct into a 95-bed managed student living scheme. The proposal includes the sensitive reuse of heritage buildings, retention of some commercial space, and mitigation measures to address nutrient neutrality constraints affecting the River Eden SAC catchment.
The Planning Inspectorate has allowed Bloor Homes’ appeal for a 325-home scheme in Sandbach, overturning Cheshire East Council’s refusal. The inspector found that the housing and affordable housing benefits outweighed less than substantial heritage harm, while also noting moderate harm to the character of the area and limited loss of good quality agricultural land.
Westmorland and Furness Council has approved an outline business case to repurpose the grade II-listed Penrith Town Hall from office use into a community and events hub. The £5.7m scheme would create flexible event, performance, youth, creative and innovation spaces, with a full business case due to be considered in December.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is proposing Article 4 Directions for three major employment areas in order to remove permitted development rights for office-to-residential conversions. The move is intended to protect workspace, support local businesses and investment, and ensure any residential development is subject to planning control and space standards.
Campaigners are pressing Manchester City Council for a decision on competing planning applications for Ryebank Fields in Chorlton, where developers Step Places and Southway Housing propose a 120-home scheme and local residents want the land retained as community woodland. The article highlights delays in determining both applications and notes that the developer revised its plans in May to address drainage and flood mitigation concerns.
X1 Manchester Waters has entered administration with debts of £25.7m, including more than £24m owed to 336 investors who paid deposits on unbuilt flats. The administrator’s report cites construction cost inflation, fire-safety remediation costs on other X1 schemes, and leasehold reform as contributing factors, while freeholder Peel Land is seeking an alternative route to complete the homes.
The article argues that political change and wider economic uncertainty have left the property market subdued, with low mortgage approvals and a high proportion of homes remaining unsold. It highlights government proposals to improve home buying and selling, including greater transparency, sales packs and professional qualifications, as potential ways to rebuild confidence and reduce transaction fall-throughs.
