High Lane village proposes Neighbourhood Plan

Residents of High Lane have have submitted to Stockport Council a proposed Neighbourhood Plan for the village.

The High Lane Village Neighbourhood Forum, the organisation behind the plans, and Stockport Council have now opened a public consultation on the proposals.

Neighbourhood Plans are a tool for community fora or Parish Councils to set out, in partnership with local authorities, guidelines and objectives to direct local planning decisions in the area. They were introduced as part of the 2011 Localism Act and

Development of the plan began in 2017 with the establishment of the High Lane Village Neighbourhood Forum, in the absence of a local Parish Council. Its scope addresses four key areas of concern for residents: traffic, transport and air quality; housing; recreation and green space; and preserving the local heritage.

Covering the period 2020 to 2037, the plan sets out the following vision for High Lane and the surrounding countryside:

In 2037 High Lane’s rural identity and heritage will have been retained and enhanced. The strong sense of community in the village remains a key benefit of living here and supports a high quality of life for all. New development, transport facilities and other infrastructure are proportionate to the area, taking into account the village’s location within Green Belt.

A good mix of small scale housing is provided to meet local needs and support long term benefits for the whole community, prioritising brownfield sites, enabling protection of Green Belt and ensuring positive impact on the air quality for the village and wider Stockport area.

Open spaces and recreational facilities are fully accessible to all and provide a network of green infrastructure to protect and enhance biodiversity and wildlife.

Following the public consultation by Stockport Council, amended plans will be sent to third-party examiner for any final revisions, before being put to a local referendum to see the plans put in place.

The proposed Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents are available for inspection on the Council’s website. They can also be viewed by appointment only during opening hours at:

• Marple Library, Memorial Park, Marple, Stockport, SK6 6BA;
• Hazel Grove Library, Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 4QP.

An appointment must be made via the Library Service on 0161 217 6009.