Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Garnett Marshall, Councillor Lesley Smetham, Councillor David Edwardes and Councillor Stewart Gardiner. Councillor Sally Holland was present on behalf of Councillor Stewart Gardiner.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests in any item on the agenda and for Members to declare if they have a pre-determination in respect of any item on the agenda.

In the interests of openness and transparency, the following declarations of interest were made:

Councillor Puddicombe declared that, in relation to Item 5, a number of pieces of correspondence from members of the public, interested parties and the applicant had been circulated to Board Members. Councillor Puddicombe also declared that he was present when Bloor presented the application to the Town Council, but he did not input to the discussion.

Councillor Edgar declared that, in relation to Item 5, a video of the site had been circulated to Board Members.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2025 as a correct record.

Councillor Houston requested that the declaration of interest which she made at the 23 July 2025 meeting be corrected to read as follows:

Cllr Houston declared that as a former member of Crewe Town Council Planning Committee, she had received a presentation from a representative from the Cheshire Constabulary and the developer on the proposals, however, had not been involved in any discussions or formed a view on the application.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2025 be approved as a correct record.

A total period of 5 minutes is allocated for each of the planning applications for the following:

·         Ward Councillors who are not members of the Strategic Planning Board

·         The relevant Town/Parish Council

A period of 3 minutes is allocated for each of the planning applications for the following individuals/groups:

·         Members who are not members of the Strategic Planning Board and are not the Ward Member

·         Objectors

·         Supporters

·         Applicants

The public speaking procedure was noted.

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above planning application.

The following attended the meeting and spoke in relation to the application:

Councillor Judy Snowball (Ward Councillor), Macclesfield Town Council provided a statement which was read out by the Democratic Services Officer, Councillors Edwardes and Gillman (Adjacent Ward Councillors) provided a statement which was read out by the Democratic Services Officer, Nick Cheetham and Madge Slater (Objectors) and Anna Ralph (Agent / Applicant).

RESOLVED (By Majority):

That application 25/0210/OUT be REFUSED against officer recommendations, for the following reasons:

The proposed development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt. The proposal fails to meet the definition of ‘Grey Belt’, specifically purpose (d) of National Planning Policy Framework para 143 and para 155 and there are no very special circumstances which exist to outweigh this harm. There is also additional harm to the ‘Bollin Valley Local Landscape Designation’ . The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies PG 3 and SE 4 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy and Policies PG11, ENV3, ENV5, HER1 and HER3 of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document as well as advice of the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Practice Guidance.

Should the application be the subject of an appeal, approval is given to enter into a S106 Agreement with the following Heads of Terms:

Councillor Hannah Moss requested it be recorded that she voted to reject the application.

In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions /informatives /planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, provided that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.