Given the demand for housing in Stockport, safeguarding existing dwellings is particularly important. Retaining existing dwellings will keep properties available for local residents. We will also ensure that where redevelopment does occur, the new use is residential in nature. This will help to reduce the need to seek dwellings from other land sources, such as employment, open space, or Green Belt.

Existing specialist accommodation also plays an important role in meeting local need. Properties such as bungalows or level-access dwellings can also provide accessible living accommodation. Protecting this type of accommodation will help maintain an appropriate housing mix in the borough.

There are particular circumstances in which changes of use (or redevelopment of housing sites) will be acceptable. This is most likely to be where the change of use is sought for some form of community facility, especially small-scale uses such as a doctor's surgery. These uses can take pressure off existing facilities and be beneficial to local residents.

There are locations where dwellings suffer from serious adverse environmental conditions. This includes housing fronting, or near, parts of the strategic highway network which suffer from significant congestion, noise, and/or poor air quality for a considerable part of the day. Subject to other planning considerations, favourable consideration will be given to change of use to other uses less affected by such adverse environmental conditions. In addition, there may be cases where the loss of dwellings would be justified to enable the proper planning of an area. This could be, for example, redevelopment to support regeneration or proposals that enhance the openness of the Green Belt.

The continuous use of housing for short-term letting is a potential factor in the reduction of the supply of homes. This can lead to both the loss of long-term accommodation and an increase in housing prices. Furthermore, short-term lets can have a negative impact on the amenities of local residents. As such, this policy seeks to protect residential properties from this type of use.

1. Planning permission will only be granted for new permanent homes in the Green Belt to support agriculture and forestry, where the following criteria can be met: