Minutes of the meeting of High Lane Residents’ Association
Date: Thursday 3rd September 2026 Time: 8pm
Venue: High Lane Library
Present: Caroline Smith; John Baker; Lisa Robinson-Hall; Darrell Williams; Sue Forrester; Barry Sequeira; Angie Sequeira and Cllr Colin MacAlister
Apologies: David Burks; Eryl Hughes; Cllr Shan Alexander and Cllr Dominic Warner
1. Welcome given by Caroline Smith.
2. Minutes of the last meeting – the July minutes were noted and approved.
3. Police and Crime Report – no police representative was present at the meeting but PCSO Simon Carr had emailed a crime report for July and August:
4. Finances by John Baker
This is the report for August. The August report also marked the end of the HLRA financial year.
The HLRA General account
The opening balance for the HLRA General account (taking rounding into account) was £1,729 at the beginning of August.
Income
There was no income in August
Expenditure
The expenditure during August was:
|
The IONOS Website Licensing charge |
£9 |
|
The Lloyds Bank account charge |
£4 |
|
A payment to Caroline Smith to cover the payment for new Defibrillator pads after emergency use of the unit |
£71 |
For August, our Total Expenditure from the General Account was £84
The Total income was £0
The Account balances (with rounding) at the end of August & the Financial Year were
General account £1,645
HLRA Project Account £785 (£0.34 Int payments for this month)
HLRA Total Amount £2,430
HLRA War Memorial Account provided by Barry
| Balance at end of July | £1,617 |
| Books income | £ 52 |
| Total | £1,669 |
| War Memorial spends | £ 58 |
| Balance today | £1,611 |
Barry mentioned that watering the planters has been particularly challenging over the summer, but thanks to additional residents living nearby, access to water has been very helpful. Hillcrest Garage has also provided access to water, making it easier to water the half-moon planter. He has also taken on the responsibility of emptying the bin on High Lane Railway Station.
5. Planning Applications provided by Eryl.
- 37 Balmoral Drive. DC/099440 single-storey extension.
- 5 Red Row/ Buxton Road DC/092313 approved planning permission for a three-floor house. (Related DC/099366 and DC/099432.) This is at the end of the row of terraces. OFN
- Virgin Media cabinet installations:
- 2 Manifold Drive & Ashbourne Drive DC/ 099679149
- Windlehurst Rd DC/ 099678
- Kirkfell Drive DC/ 099676
- 7 Thornway DC/099675
- 68 Andrew Lane DC/099674
- 48 Windlehurst Rd DC/099662SO.
- 11 Windlehurst Rd DC/099661
- 1 Scafell Close DC/ 099561 Single Story rear extension OFN
- 10 Daisy Way DC/099772. Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension with raised patio and extended front porch OFN
- Norbury Villa Buxton Rd DC/099535. Demolition of existing porch, erection of a two storey front corner in fill. Erection and creation of a new porch to front of the existing entrance OFN
- Woodside Tennis Club DC/100044
G1 tree line, cut back all overhanging branches back to previous points 1-1.5 metres from branch tips. Work previously carried out in 2024 for work to reduce leaf drop on tennis courts which make the courts slippery for players. Tennis courts 31M from 7 Haddon Close 20 m from unnamed road footpath from 43 Chatsworth Rd going around the playground to Ashbourne Drive, SK6 8DD OFN - Land at Windlehurst Road DC/098628. Outline planning (with all matters reserved) for residential development up to 200 dwellings with two site access from Windlehurst Rd, open space, landscaping, drainage, ecological enhancement and other associated works. Comments direct to planning.dc@stockport.gov.uk. Comments have to be at the planning department in three weeks’ time [see following agenda item].
6. Windlehurst Road Development
A separate proposal affecting land near Windlehurst Road and Andrew Lane is open for consultation until 19th September 2026. The HLVNF intends to object, and residents were strongly encouraged to submit their own individual responses because higher response numbers can carry more weight in planning matters.
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- The application relates to land near Windlehurst Road, close to Bateson Trailers.
- One field was described as grey belt and another as green belt, though residents noted ongoing confusion over the definitions.
- Two access points were discussed, including one described as being on a blind bend.
- Residents raised concerns about congestion, flooding, canal-bank stability, construction access and the cumulative pressure from nearby developments.
- The 19th September deadline was emphasised as critical.
Residents asked whether the Forum could provide standard objection points or a template response. It was agreed that Richard from the Forum would be asked to prepare bullet points for publication on the High Lane Village website and Facebook page, so residents could adapt and submit their own responses.
The meeting also discussed wider concerns about proposed housing on both sides of the A6, including approximately 750 homes north of the A6 and 250 homes on the other side. Concerns included traffic pressure, access to railway stations, and whether nearby stations were being represented accurately in planning arguments.
It was noted that each planning application may need to be objected to separately, even where residents are concerned about the combined traffic impact of multiple developments.
7. Gardening Afternoons
Watering the planters has been challenging over the summer, but additional residents living near planters have helped. Hillcrest Garage has also provided access to water, making it easier to water the half-moon planter.
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- Volunteer support has helped maintain planters across the village.
- Some signs along the A6 that were overgrown with vegetation have been cleared or are being assessed for clearance by Barry using a telescopic lopper. Barry has also taken on the responsibility of emptying the rubbish bin at High Lane Railway station.
- Additional gardening volunteers are needed for planters and small areas around the village, including parts of Windlehurst and areas near the library.
- Anyone willing to adopt a planter or help with occasional gardening sessions should contact the committee.
Library Courtyard Working Session
A working session is planned at the library courtyard on Thursday 10th September, from approximately 2:30pm to 5:00pm. The aim is to clear the courtyard and explore using the space for storage, including a possible cabinet or shed for tools currently kept in residents’ gardens.
8. Coffee Morning
The monthly coffee morning takes place on the first Friday of the month from 10:15am to 12:00 noon. Tea, coffee and refreshments are free, but donations are invited to support the upkeep of the village defibrillator, which was recently used.
9. United Utilies Work
United Utilities advised that surveys and investigations are being carried out to plan improvements to the Andrew Lane combined storm overflow. The work includes inspections of underground pipes, locating utility services, environmental and ecological assessments, and ground-based investigations where required.
The notice stated that work would take place overnight on Monday 10th August and Tuesday 11th August, from 8:00pm to 6:00am, although the email was received after the work had already taken place!
Residents noted pavement markings in the area and expected further activity may follow.
Residents linked the drainage work to concerns about flooding near Andrew Lane and nearby fields, particularly in relation to the proposed housing development. Flooding, road runoff and possible wider drainage impacts were suggested as matters residents may wish to include in planning objections.
10. AGM and Newsletter
The AGM will take place on Wednesday 28 October at 8:00pm in the village hall. Members were reminded that this is a Wednesday, not the usual Thursday, because the hall was only available on that date.
Speaker ideas for the AGM are still being considered. Anyone with suggestions for a short speaker slot was asked to share them with the committee.
11. AOB
- Newsletter Distribution - The newsletter has gone to print and will be delivered to every house in the village over the next few weeks. More volunteers are needed for delivery rounds, as some long-standing distributors are no longer able to continue. Volunteers were asked to ensure their names are passed to Barry before leaving the meeting.
- Christmas Market - The Association may have an information stall at the Conservative Club Christmas Market. The aim would be to promote the Association, share newsletters and encourage more residents to get involved.
- Keswick Road / Supported Living Concerns – Residents from the Keswick Road and Coniston Road area raised concerns about a property that has reportedly become an adult supported living service. The discussion focused on noise, parking, road safety, security and whether the current use requires planning permission. Main concerns were: frequent loud noise, including screaming, sometimes late at night; parking by staff cars on bends and near junctions, creating visibility and safety concerns; concern that parking restrictions may simply move the problem further along the road; questions about whether the service has the correct permissions or licence; neighbour concerns about security and the suitability of the location. The meeting wondered whether the police and social services have been contacted. Cllr Colin MacAlister reported that he had contacted the relevant Stockport director. The response confirmed that the property is not a children’s home, but an adult supported living service. It is understood to be operated by the Hudah Group and funded by Cheshire. Stockport Council does not commission the service and does not have individuals placed there. The adult commissioner had advised that, if further information about residents’ concerns is provided, she can liaise with Cheshire and the quality team to see whether the issues can be addressed.
Residents were asked to gather clear evidence of the issues, including dates, times, descriptions of incidents, parking problems and any relevant audio evidence. This information can be sent either to the HLRA for forwarding or directly to the council. Councillor Colin agreed to continue looking into the matter and to pass residents’ concerns to the relevant council and commissioning contacts.
- Pedestrian Crossing - A resident reported that the audible signal at the pedestrian crossing outside the doctors’ surgery is difficult to hear and may be faulty. Similar issues have previously been reported with other crossings. It was agreed that this would be reported again.
The next HLRA meeting is on Thursday 1st October 2026 at 8pm in High Lane Library
&
AGM Wednesday 28th October at 8pm in High Lane Village Hall