13/1223N-Outline application for up to 40 dwellings, Land to rear of 144, Audlem Road, Nantwich, Cheshire for
Meeting: 11/09/2013 - Strategic Planning Board (Item 70)
PDF 507 KBTo consider the above application.
Minutes:
Consideration was given to the above application and an oral correction was made to the conclusion of the report on page 131 where policies NE2 and Res5 should have been referred to in place of policies PS8 and H6.
(Mr Cullen, representing Protect Stapeley and Mr Harris, the agent for the applicant attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the application).
RESOLVED
That for the reasons set out in the report and in the oral update the Board be minded to refuse the application for the following reasons:-
1. The proposed residential development is unsustainable because it is located within the Open Countryside, where according to Policies NE.2 and RES.5 of the adopted Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan there is a presumption against new residential development. Such development would be harmful to its open character and appearance, which in the absence of a need for the development should be protected for its own sake. The Local Planning Authority can demonstrate a 5 year supply of housing land supply in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework. As such the application is also premature to the emerging Development Strategy. Consequently, there are no material circumstances to indicate that permission should be granted contrary to the development plan.
2. The proposal will result in a loss of Grade 3a agricultural land, which is considered to be amongst the best and most versatile agricultural land and given that the Authority can demonstrate a housing land supply in excess of 5 years, there is no need for the development, and the housing which it would provide could be accommodated elsewhere. The use of the best and most versatile agricultural land is unsustainable and contrary to Policy NE.12 of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011 and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, visibility at the proposed access to the site from the A529 is substandard and would result in a severe and unacceptable impact in terms of road safety contrary to Policy BE.3 of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011 and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.
(This was a change in the Officers original recommendation from one of refusal to one of ‘minded to refuse’ due to the fact that the applicant had decided to submit an appeal against non determination).