Issue - meetings

To consider the above application.

Notes: (1) Mr G Watts (on behalf of the applicant) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter;

(2) Having arrived at the meeting during consideration of this application, Councillor S McGrory did not participate in the debate or voting, in accordance with paragraph 13.5 of the Planning Protocol of Conduct in Relation to the Determination of Planning Matters.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application, an oral report of the site inspection, and updates from the applicant’s agent, which were summarised by the Southern Area Manager – Development Management.

RESOLVED:

That the application be REFUSED for the following reasons –

(1)               The proposed development relates to a newly created agricultural unit and the provision of a permanent dwelling should be considered to support existing agricultural activities only. Furthermore the proposed dwelling is considered to be overly large and expensive to construct. As a result the proposal would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the open countryside which should be protected for its own sake whilst the size and expense in constructing the dwelling. The development would be contrary to the provisions of PPS 7 (Sustainable Development in Rural Areas) and Policies H18 (Dwellings Associated with Rural Enterprises), H6 (Residential Development in the Open Countryside and the Green Belt) and PS8 (Open Countryside) of the Congleton Borough Local Plan First Review (01/05); and

(2)               The Local Planning Authority considers that the applicant has failed to demonstrate that there is a clearly established existing functional need  that could not be fulfilled by another existing dwelling in the area or on the unit and that the development meets the financial test specififed within Annex A of PPS7. As a result, the special justification for allowing a new dwelling in the open countryside has not been met and the proposed development is contrary to the provisions of PPS7 (Sustainable Development in rural Areas) and Policies H18 (Dwellings Associated with Rural Enterprises), H6 (Residential Development in the Open Countryside and the Green Belt) and PS8 (Open Countryside) of the Congleton Borough Local Plan First Review (01/05).