Redevelopment of former nursing home in West Didsbury set to go ahead
- Application approved to convert a former nursing home into five three-storey houses and erect a further detached three-storey house
- Eight letters of objection received from residents as well as from the West Didsbury Residents Association
- Concern over destruction of trees having a negative impact on wildlife as well as parking and privacy concerns
- Worries design won't be in keep with surrounding Victorian housing
Planning approved has been granted to convert a vacant nursing home in West Didsbury – which has stood empty since 2018 – into new homes.
The planning application by Wilmslow Road Investments was to convert the former nursing home Clyde Court on Lapwing Lane into five three-storey homes as well as a further detached three-storey home.
The application also proposed the demolition of any ‘unsympathetic’ buildings to the development.
The proposal was approved despite eight letters of objection from residents and an objection from the residents’ association.
Residents expressed concerns about the design of the building.
‘Gratuitous’
One read: “The additional house facing Clyde Road is gratuitous and the planned architectural design is widely at odds with the surrounding Victorian housing stock.
“It’s not social/affordable housing and will not benefit no one other than the house builder and the wealthy people that are able to purchase it.”
Another letter expressed concerns over wildlife: “The potential build will affect the existing trees that are already there.
“Losing tress will have an impact on the many diverse birds nesting/feeding in them which will in turn have an impact on other flora and fauna in the area.”
Agent for the proposal, Donna Barber, addressed concerns in the planning meeting.
She said: “There are a few trees removed but they are category U and category C trees. They would be removed in any event regardless the decision here today.
“What the proposal allows us to do is to accept a condition that means that prior to construction, new native species can be placed and will be implemented prior to construction. So, I think that’s one of the benefits of the scheme.”
She also addressed car parking concerns from WDRA, who called the provision ‘insufficient’ and outlined construction of an extensive hard-standing area to the front of the buildings.
A highway services report said the proposal did not raise any highway safety or capacity concerns. However, it recommended that the applicant funds extension of the junction protection restrictions at the junction of Lapwing Lane and Clyde Road.
Barber said: “In our mind we think that and hope you can agree actually with the officer recommendation that it is a sensitive well-designed and sustainable future for this building that’s lying vacant since 2019.”The council vote resulted in ten votes of approval, one against and one abstention.