Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor Mrs Rhoda Bailey, the neighbouring Ward Councillor, Parish Councillor Lancake, the Chairman of Somerford Parish Council, Donald Muir, a representative from Sandy Lane Action Group and Daniel Connolly, the agent for the applicant attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the application.  In addition Councillor Mrs Rhoda Bailey declared a personal interest by virtue of the fact that she was a member of the Group Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and in accordance with the Code of Conduct she remained in the meeting during consideration of the application).

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The proposed residential development, which is located within the Open Countryside, is considered to be an unsuitable location for development by virtue of the adverse impact that the proposals would have on the local landscape character. In addition, the proposed development is poorly related to existing built form.  The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies GR5, GR3 and PS8 of the Congleton Borough Adopted Local Plan First Review 2005 and guidance contained within PPS1, PPS3 and PPS7.

2.    It is considered that the proposed development would result in an unsustainable form of development. The site is at the westernmost periphery of Congleton at a distance of 2km from the town centre and there are more suitable deliverable sites which offer a more sustainable location. The proposed development would also result in the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land. There is also insufficient foul drainage infrastructure to accommodate the proposed development. The proposed development is therefore not suitable for housing development. The proposed scheme would be contrary to Policy GR20 (Public Utilities) and GR23 (Provision of Services and Utilities) of the Congleton Borough Adopted Local Plan First Review 2005 and guidance contained within PPS1, PPS3 and PPS7.