Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests and for Members to declare if they have pre-determined any item on the agenda.

All Members of the Committee declared that they had received correspondence regarding application number 11/1469N.

Councillor L Gilbert declared that he had received representations from members of the public regarding application number 10/3320C.

Councillor J Clowes declared that she had received representations regarding application number 11/0821N, as the site was located in her Ward.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Councillor D Brickhill (Ward Councillor), Councillor G McIntyre (on behalf of Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council), Mr P McHugh (objector) and Mr D Hosker (agent on behalf of the applicant) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application, a written update and an oral update by the Southern Area Manager - Development Management.

RESOLVED – That, contrary to the planning officer’s recommendation for approval, the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1. The proposed mast by virtue of its height and width would be visually obtrusive, having a detrimental impact on visual amenity in the locality contrary to Policy NE.18 of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.

2. The Local Planning Authority considers that there is a lack of evidence to clearly demonstrate proper consideration has been given to alterative sites. The proposal therefore falls short of the requirements set out in Policy NE.18 (Telecommunications Development) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011 and PPG 8 (Telecommunications).

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Dr M Cox (objector) and Mr J Ashall (agent on behalf of the applicant) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application, an oral report of the site inspection and an oral update by the Southern Area Manager - Development Management.

RESOLVED – That, contrary to the planning officer’s recommendation for approval, the application be REFUSED for the following reason:

The Local Planning Authority considers that the affordable housing requirements within the area could be accommodated by alternative Brownfield sites in the locality which would negate the need to use land within the open countryside. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy H14 of the adopted Congleton Borough Local Plan First Review (2005).

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Councillor J Halstead (on behalf of Cranage Parish Council) and Mr C Parks (agent on behalf of the applicant) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application, an oral report of the site inspection and an oral update by the Southern Area Manager - Development Management.

RESOLVED – That, contrary to the planning officer’s recommendation for approval, the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1. The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development would result in a cramped overdevelopment of the site and is of poor design, contrary to policies GR1 (General Criteria) and GR2 (Design) of the adopted Congleton Borough Local Plan First Review (2005).

2. In failing to provide affordable housing, the proposal is contrary to Policy H13 of the adopted Congleton Borough Local Plan First Review (2005).

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Councillor M Martin left the meeting prior to consideration of this application.

Note: Prior to consideration of this application, the meeting was adjourned from 4.10pm to 4.20pm for a break.

Note: Councillor S Jones (Ward Councillor), Councillor C Burgess (on behalf of Alsager Town Council) and Mr A Pickersgill (objector) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application.

RESOLVED – That the application be DEFERRED for a Committee site inspection to enable Members to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring residential amenity.

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Mr A Thornley (agent on behalf of the applicant) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application.

RESOLVED – That the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

1. Within 3 months of the date of approval, details of any external lighting to the garage shall be submitted to the LPA and approved in writing. The lighting shall be in accordance with the approved details.

2. The garage shall be used as a garage only and shall not be converted to ancillary residential accommodation.

3. The garage to be approved with dimensions as listed in the report.

4. The garage should be used for domestic purpose only, and not in connection with any commercial/business use.

To consider the above planning application.

The Committee considered a report regarding the above planning application.

RESOLVED – That the Head of Planning and Housing be granted delegated authority to APPROVE, subject to no adverse comments being received from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Approval to be subject to the following conditions:

1. Standard time limit

2. Plans

3. Materials as submitted

To consider the above application.

Note: Councillor J Weatherill left the meeting during consideration of this application.

Note: Mr A McMurtrie and Mr T Robinson (objectors) and Mr A Thornley (agent on behalf of the applicant) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report and a written update regarding the above application, which sought confirmation from the Local Planning Authority that the building and associated land had been used continuously for a period of 10 years for class B1 (light industry).

The Head of Planning and Housing had delegated authority with respect to such applications, which were determined on the basis of factual information.  However, given the level of public interest in this site, Members of the Southern Planning Committee were invited to comment on the application.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.