Re-Webs No.3
(extracted from the Manchester Plan on disk by Manchester City Council 1995)
This is a mainly residential area stretching westwards from Princess Road to the borders of Stretford. It has a total population of about 29,000. There is a considerable variety of age, type and quality of housing in the area including areas of small terraced houses, areas of relatively affluent owner- occupied housing, two council-owned estates at Merseybank and Nell Lane, and areas dominated by privately-rented housing which often comprises houses in multiple occupation.
A large proportion of the area is open land. This includes the attractive and well used areas of open countryside in the Mersey Valley, Chorlton Park, Southern Cemetery, and a number of public and private playing fields including Hough End.
The area is served, at Chorlton, by the largest shopping centre outside the City Centre which stretches along Manchester Road, Wilbraham Road and Barlow Moor Road. There are only a limited number of other concentrations of commercial and industrial activity across the area.
CB1 In deciding its attitude to proposals within Chorlton and Barlow Moor the Council will have regard to the general policies in Part I of the Plan in order to:-
CB2 The Council will protect and enhance the existing wildlife habitat at Hough End Clough around Chorlton Brook.
CB3 The low-lying area of land adjoining the UMIST Playing fields at Hardy Farm, Chorlton will be protected from development which would materially affect its character as a site of biological importance.
CB4 The following sites are allocated for business development:-
CB5 Land at Barlow Moor Road/Oakhouse Drive is allocated for business (Class B1) and/or residential development.
CB6 In the Chorlton area, business use developments (as defined in Class B1 of the Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order 1987) will normally be allowed only
CB7 The former Council depot on Nell Lane and adjoining land to the rear is allocated for residential development.
CB8 The former distribution depot on Alexandra Road South is allocated for residential development.
CB9 The change of use of residential premises to retail and commercial uses will not be permitted adjacent to Chorlton District Centre immediately beyond the District Centre boundary as shown on the proposals map.
CB10 No further conversion to food and drink uses will be permitted in the following shopping frontages in Chorlton District Centre:-
CB11 The Council will retain the open character of Hough End Playing Fields as a major recreational facility and seek to improve the visual appearance of the site.
CB12 The Council will improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists at the following major road junctions:-
CB13 The Council intends to develop a network of off-street cycling and pedestrian routes in Chorlton. Particular attention will be given to:-
CB14 The City Council will manage the flow of traffic along Princess Parkway so as to improve operating conditions for buses between Chorlton/Barlow Moor and the City Centre.
The Manchester Plan has incorporated policies from the former Mersey Valley Local Plan. These comprise general proposals for the whole of the valley and detailed, site specific policies for the valley area within Manchester.
The Mersey Valley falls within Areas 13, 15, 16 and 17 of the Manchester Plan. The Valley-wide proposals are set out below as are the site specific policies for Chorlton and Barlow Moor (Area 13). The site specific proposals are set out in the other relevant area sections.
The Mersey Valley extends about 12 miles through the southern suburbs of Greater Manchester, from the centre of Stockport westwards through Didsbury and Chorlton to the Manchester Ship Canal. The Mersey is different from the other valleys in the area. For the most part it is a wide flood plain bounded by low ridges and terraces.
The pressures of urban growth have affected the use and appearance of this large open area. Many areas became waste land, whilst loss of woodland and trees were especially severe. However, when the time came to increase recreational opportunities and improve the appearance of the valley, the Mersey had some significant advantages. Much of the land was already used for recreation and there was an existing footpath network capable of extension. Much of the land was in public ownership and there was scope to achieve changes over a relatively short period.
The former Mersey Valley Local Plan was adopted in March 1986. Many of the site specific policies have now been implemented and have therefore not been incorporated into the Manchester Plan.
CB15 Existing land will be conserved and improved and will, for the most part, continue in recreation use.
CB16 Throughout the Valley further sites for outdoor recreation will be developed, and existing sites improved, to cater for a wide range of mainly informal recreation activities. Where 'urban' recreation facilities (such as local play spaces, formal parks and allotments) are needed, provision will be made on suitable sites, generally within and adjoining the built-up areas. Additions to the already large area of playing fields and golf courses will normally be limited to minor extensions of existing sites, where these do not conflict with Local Plan objectives.
CB17 Interest in the natural and local history of the Valley will be promoted in those areas which are able to withstand increased use by the public.
CB18 The development of riding schools and commercial stables will only be permitted where the Council is satisfied that there is adequate grazing, and access to suitable riding routes and the development would not harm the Valley character, or the local amenity.
CB19 In farming areas, recreation will generally be restricted to those activities which will not unduly interfere with farming.
CB20 There will be a presumption against recreation activities which could spoil the enjoyment of the Valley (e.g. by introducing noise or excessive traffic or because they could damage the Valley's landscape or appearance). Approval of such activities will only be considered if there is a clear need and they can be sited where no significant disturbance would result. In exceptional cases, disturbance caused should be set against the need for a particular recreational activity to be in a particular location.
CB21 In developing and improving recreation facilities in the Valley, and access to them, attention will be paid, wherever possible, to the needs of disabled people.
CB22 The provision of overnight accommodation and other facilities for tourists may be permitted where this is small in scale and would not harm the Valley character.
CB23 The Council will protect, conserve and improve the landscape quality and natural history of the Valley, encourage the development of a variety of attractive landscape types and, where appropriate, will seek to re-establish a countryside character in the Valley.
CB24 The Council will seek the provision of a more enclosed and varied landscape by:-
CB25 The Council will:-
CB26 The Council will not normally permit any development which would damage or destroy those areas or those features, such as woodland and hedgerows, valuable water areas and wetland, identified by the Council as being of landscape or natural history importance.
CB27 Derelict land in the Valley will be restored, generally for recreation, woodland or agriculture. The natural regeneration of despoiled areas will be allowed to continue where this will contribute to natural history or landscape interest.
CB28 The Council will seek to conserve and enhance those buildings, structures and industrial remains which are considered to make a special contribution towards the history or character of the Valley.
CB29 A network of waymarked footpaths, horse riding routes and cycle routes will be developed and maintained throughout the Valley, segregated where appropriate. Particular emphasis will be given to the need to provide a continuous footpath, along the length of the Valley. Wherever possible, this will be along the riverside.
CB30 Where appropriate, existing access points into the Valley will be improved, making them more obvious and attractive and new access points will be created.
CB31 In improving and increasing public access within the Valley, care will be taken to avoid undue disturbance to sensitive wildlife areas, features of interest and areas of farming.
CB32 In conjunction with public transport undertakings, improvements will be sought to public transport serving the recreation areas of the Valley. The level of provision will be kept under review as recreation use develops.
CB33 Where appropriate, car parks will be provided to serve areas of recreation. Any new car parks shall be of a scale and type in keeping with the character of the area; have a minimal impact on residential areas; and normally be located:-
CB34 Unless otherwise indicated on the Proposals Map existing agriculture will be protected and encouraged.
CB35 Non-agricultural uses on farm holdings will be opposed where they are not clearly related and ancillary to the main agricultural enterprise, and where they would spoil the character of the Valley.
CB36 All possible measures will be taken to reduce the conflict between farming interests and the use of the Valley for recreation.
CB37 There will be a strong presumption against new tipping or extension to existing tips in the Valley. The Council will only consider exceptions to this policy where it is satisfied that there is a special need which cannot be met elsewhere or that the proposal would contribute towards the improvement of the Valley. In either case, the Council must be satisfied that:
CB38 All possible measures will be taken to:
CB39 The Council will support initiatives by North West Water Ltd to improve river water quality in the Valley, particularly where this would have recreation and/or conservation benefits.
CB40 The Council will oppose any new development which could result in a significant deterioration in, or hinder the improvement of, either water or atmospheric quality, or introduce unacceptable noise levels.
CB41 New mineral workings or extension to existing workings will not normally be permitted, except where the Council is satisfied that there is a need for the mineral, which cannot reasonably be met elsewhere, or that the proposal would contribute towards the improvement of the Valley. In either case, the Council must be satisfied that:
CB42 The Council will carry out and encourage improvements to the built environment within the Valley. This will be particularly aimed at:-
Where appropriate the Council will seek to relocate unsightly and unneighbourly activities.
CB43 Within the area defined for this purpose on the Proposals Map, new urban development will not normally be permitted. The only exceptions considered will be where the development would not lead to the division of the open parts of the Valley into sections and falls within the terms of (a) or (b) below :-
CB44 Any new development permitted within the Valley shall be of a high standard and by careful attention to siting, design, layout, materials and landscape design shall not have a harmful effect on the character of the Valley. Any new development which by reason of its nature, scale or location cannot meet these criteria will not be permitted unless there is an overriding need for the proposed development to be in that particular location.
CB45 In considering proposals for development in the Valley the Council will seek to safeguard the line and amenity of existing and proposed footpaths, horse riding and cycle routes. Where changes to existing routes are required, the Council will need to be satisfied that the alternative proposed is at least as attractive as that being replaced.
CB46 When considering proposals for new development the Council will, where appropriate, require the provision of segregated footpaths into the Valley.
CB47 Any development which is permitted within or close to the Valley's river, streams and canals shall have regard to their setting and potential value for recreation.
CB48 Parkway Playing Fields, West Didsbury - Tree planting around the perimeter of the playing fields.
CB49 Barlow Hall Tip, West Didsbury - Restoration for informal public open space as an adjunct to Chorlton Water Park. Tree planting.
CB50 Public open space at Kenworthy Farm, Northern Moor - Continued development for informal recreation and local nature conservation. Further facilities for horse riders. Some use for agriculture.
CB51 North bank of the Mersey, Princess Road to the Bailey bridge - Bridle route.
CB52 Maitland Avenue, West Didsbury to Willenhall Road, Northern Moor - Cycle route via Chorlton Water Park.
CB53 Hardy Farm, Chorlton to the river bank south of Chorlton Golf Course - Footpath.
CB54 Land next to UMIST pavilion, Hardy Lane, Chorlton - Small, public car park.
CB55 Former Ivy Green Tip, Chorlton Green - Further development for informal public open space.
CB56 Land at the south-west corner of Chorlton Ees - Development for nature conservation extension of wetland areas.
CB57 Hardy Lane, Chorlton to Jackson's Bridge, Sale - Upgrade to cycle route.
CB58 North bank of the River Mersey, from Jackson's Bridge, Sale to City boundary with Trafford Metropolitan Borough - Bridleway.
CB59 Hawthorn Lane, Turn Moss - Cycleway designation.
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