Application no: 09/57413/out applicant: Rossford Dental Laboratory location: 78-80 Chorley Road Swinton M27 5ad proposal: Outline planning application to include layout and access in respect of four dwellinghouses and nine apartments ward

Description of Site and Surroundings

The application relates to an area of land situated within a wider site known as Quays Point, which lies to the north of Dock 9. To the north of Quays Point is Broadway, beyond which are a number of industrial uses. To the south, the site is bounded by the Manchester Ship Canal and Dock 9. The Imperial War Museum is located on the opposite side of the Ship Canal, within Trafford. To the south, across Dock 9, are the Lowry Theatre, Lowry Plaza and the Lowry Outlet shopping centre. The Quays Point site has outline planning permission for layout and access (06/53168/OUT) for the wider Mediacity development.

The application site is located within the large public realm fronting Dock 9, adjacent to the approved Metrolink Extension (07/55224/FUL).
Description of Proposal
The application seeks the erection of a single storey substation, a single storey office building for use by Metrolink Staff and the erection of two canopies on the station concourse.
The proposed canopies are proposed to be located on the north and south concourses of the new Mediacity Metrolink station. The canopies would be 32m in length and 3.89m in height at their highest points.
The proposed building on the northern side of the terminus would be the GMPTE welfare building. It would contain a small welfare area, a toilet/washroom facility for train drivers and a telecoms room.
The proposed GMPTE building is 6.5m by 5.7m and is 3.2m in height. The approved park bounds the building to the north and east, the proposed covered walkway to the west and the platform concourse to the south.
The park elevation of the GMPTE building would be clad with a high quality painted cedar timber cladding incorporating a random array of feature lighting strips. The platform faēade incorporates access doors for the office and telecoms room.
A proposed sub station is located on the south side of the terminus bounded by the dock edge terrace and landscaping. In association with the use of the building as a substation there is a requirement for the building to have vehicular access for maintenance and an area of louvered faēade for ventilation.
The substation building would have a masonry faēade, which has the potential to be used for way finding and branding for the Mediacity development although such elements would be the subject of a further application.
Site History
This application forms part of the wider Mediacity development site where the following applications are considered to be relevant:
In April 2008 planning permission was granted for details in respect of landscaping for Phase I relating to planning permission 06/53168/OUT (ref. 08/56024/REM)
In September 2007 planning permission was granted for an extension to existing metrolink line between Broadway and Harbour City to a new stop within the proposed plaza area of the approved Media City development (06/53168/OUT)
In October 2006 outline planning consent was granted for the redevelopment of the land at Quays Point for the redevelopment of B1 business (119,120 sq m), studios and production space (23, 255 sq m), residential (2,249 units), live work units (4,280 sq m), retail (2, 415 sq m), hotel (300 bed) and leisure facilities ( 3,176 sq m) together with associated car parking highway works and open space (ref: 06/53168/OUT)

Publicity

A site notice was displayed on 30^th March 2009

Neighbours were notified: 25^th March 2009

Representations

The following neighbours have been notified and no representations have been made to date.

The Lowry Centre, The Quays


Consultations
Design and Heritage Team – overall satisfied with the application. Some concern was expressed at pre-application to the inclusion of the substation and welfare facilities adjacent to main routes onto the Metrolink platforms; whilst this is not ideal the applicant has further developed their initial designs to include a more satisfactory elevational design for these elements. However, it is still felt that the office elevation facing the Piazza is weak. It was raised as a consideration at pre-application whether elevational fenestration could be included to serve the office instead of, or in addition to, the roof light. Whilst I realise that the applicant maybe concerned with anti-social behaviour, a possible solution could be to incorporate a one-way glass window, which I consider would add to the feel of safety within the area, and add a degree of comfort to the welfare facilities.
Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company – Central Salford wishes to offer its full support for this application, which seeks to provide further detail for and gain permission to implement the Metrolink extension to MediaCityUK.
This application is directly related to 07/55224/FUL which secured permission to extend the current Piccadilly – Eccles Metrolink line into the heart of MediaCityUK. The URC responded to this on 25^th September 2007 outlining its support ahead of the application receiving approval on 3 October 2007. This new application seeks approval for detailed elements of the scheme, including accessibility and arrangements to ensure the station’s successful incorporation into the wider MediaCityUK. In addition, detailed proposals have been submitted for the station’s canopy design, an office building for use by GMPTE, an indicative signage scheme and a necessary sub station.
Central Salford strongly supports this application, which accords closely with the URC’s vision for MediaCityUK. The introduction of the Metrolink stop will be crucial in supporting the first phase of new development at Quay Point, for both commercial and residential demands. The proposal suggests a strong physical integration between the Metrolink station and MediaPark, which will be essential in establishing clear wayfinding and route options within the completed scheme. Proposals indicate the MediaCityUK Metrolink stop functioning as a gateway symbol, which clearly announces its function within the piazza area as a key point of arrival. The design of the station and canopies accord with and complement the wider identity and design aesthetic of MediaCityUK as a whole, whilst maintaining the statutory requirements of the GMPTE and associated safety measures which must be observed. Specific requirements of the GMPTE will inevitably inform much of the design of the station, which has been successfully managed to balance aesthetic value with function and statutory demands. The station maintains a design identity of its own whilst integrating positively with MediaPark and functioning as an operational transport node.
In conclusion, Central Salford fully supports this application and its potential to accommodate the large volume and turnover of visitors expected at MediaCityUK which will be essential in creating a vibrant, animated, dynamic and desirable place to work, live and visit. Improving and enhancing connectivity from the centre of MediaCityUK directly to Manchester city centre and westwards into Salford will ensure that MediaCityUK is poised and prepared to function as a local and national centre of creative arts, broadcasting, production innovation in the media industries.

Urban Vision Environment – A desk study report, site investigation and remediation strategy have already been undertaken for the site relating to planning permission 06/53168/OUT. As such, the only outstanding matter with respect to contaminated land is verification of the remedial works.

The Development Plan