Angry residents told their objections to controversial office-to-residential plans are 'not applicable'

Residents living near the Sale Point office block in Sale have been told that their objections to its conversion into 80 apartments 'are not applicable'. The locals, who live adjacent to the six-storey building on the A56 Washway Road - a key route from Altrincham into Manchester - argue that the development will exacerbate existing traffic and parking issues.

They have also expressed concerns about the ability of local schools and doctors' surgeries to accommodate the influx of new residents. The plans to transform the 1970s building are currently under review by Trafford council's planning officers.

However, as the conversion falls under 'permitted development' regulations, the decision will be made by planning officers, not the borough's planning committee. The final decision is still pending.

In this week's committee meeting, a separate application was approved for the replacement of all windows and frames at Sale Point, additional window openings, and the installation of Juliette balconies, seemingly paving the way for the eventual approval of the conversion. Despite this, 15 letters of objection were received from neighbouring residents, highlighting concerns over the impact on the highway network, local services such as doctors' surgeries and schools, and ongoing parking issues.

Nevertheless, a report to the committee stated that the applicant, Blueoak Estates Ltd's plan, was 'in line with local, regional and national policies', reports the Manchester Evening News.

"The proposal is considered to have been d