Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Tony Bastock, a local resident, spoke in support of the extension to the Conservation Area and welcomed the additional protection it would give to its preservation. 

Mike Benson of Sandbach Town Council also endorsed the proposals.  A discussion ensued on other ways in which the area could be protected and enhanced and advice on the options available continued outside the meeting.

To consider amendments to the boundary of the Sandbach Conservation Area. 

1.    That the Sandbach Conservation Area be extended as per the boundary plan attached to the report.

2.    That the Environmental Planning Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary notification of amendment to the Conservation Area as required by Section 70 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

It was reported that the conservation area had last been reviewed in 2014 and as part of the appraisal processes of that review this boundary amendment was proposed. Up until that time there had not been a review of the conservation area or a Conservation Area Character Appraisal and there were also no up to date conservation management proposals for the conservation area.

The area enclosed by the boundary amendment was previously put forward for inclusion by the ward member for the area and the Town Council who considered the request represented the majority community view.  A decision on this area was, however, postponed at that time due to a planning appeal for new housing on land within part of the proposed conservation area.

The land immediately adjacent to Dingle Farm is in the recently revised conservation area boundary and part of the curtilage to the Listed Farmhouse (grade II).  The remaining 2 paddocks, 7 Dingle Lane and part of Dingle Lane are proposed to be included within the conservation area boundary.  These paddocks influence perceptions upon approach to the conservation area.  They form part of the significance of the listed building and give context the farm and conservation area.  Dingle Lane is an informal Green Lane with a key view into the conservation area, defined by the visual juxtaposition of the farmhouse and the Church and its environs. Following a recent appeal a planning inspector decided that the paddocks form a part of the setting and significance of the listed buildings and also the conservation area.  The conservation officer agrees with this assessment.  They provide evidential and aesthetic value to the listed building and conservation area and therefore should be included in the Sandbach Conservation Area.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Sandbach Conservation Area be extended as per the boundary plan attached to the report.

2.    That the Environmental Planning Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary notification of amendment to the Conservation Area as required by Section 70 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.