Agenda item

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(A statement was read out on behalf of Councillor S Pochin, the Ward Councillor).

RESOLVED

That the Board be minded to refuse the application for the following reasons:-

1.         The proposed residential development is unacceptable because it is located within the Open Countryside, contrary to Policies NE.2 (Open Countryside) and RES.5 (Housing in Open Countryside) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan, Policy PG 5 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy Submission Version - 2016 and the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework and create harm to interests of acknowledged importance. Consequently, there are no material circumstances to indicate that permission should be granted contrary to the development plan.

2.         In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, the proposed development would cause a significant erosion of the Green Gap between the built up areas of Willaston and Nantwich and would adversely affect the visual character of the landscape which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme notwithstanding a shortfall in housing land supply. The development is therefore contrary to Policy NE4 (Green Gaps) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011 and guidance contained within the NPPF.

3.         The proposal would result in loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land. The use of the best and most versatile agricultural land is inefficient  and contrary to Policy  NE12 of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011 and Policy SE2 of the emerging Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy - Submission Version  and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

For the purposes of the appeal, a Section 106 Legal Agreement be entered into in order to secure the following:

1.         A scheme for the provision of 30% affordable housing – 65% to be provided as social rent/affordable rent with 35% intermediate tenure. The scheme shall include:

- The numbers, type, tenure and location on the site of the affordable housing provision

- The timing of the construction of the affordable housing and its phasing in relation to the occupancy of the market housing

- The arrangements for the transfer of the affordable housing to an affordable housing provider or the management of the affordable housing if no Registered Social Landlord is involved

- The arrangements to ensure that such provision is affordable for both first and subsequent occupiers of the affordable housing; and

- The occupancy criteria to be used for determining the identity of occupiers of the affordable housing and the means by which such occupancy criteria shall be enforced.

2. Provision of a contribution of £290,640 towards Secondary Education and a SENs school place 

3. Provision of POS and a LAP/LEAP and a scheme of management

4. Private management company to maintain all on-site open space, including footpaths and habitat creation area in perpetuity

In addition it was agreed that the possibility of a further reason for refusal on the grounds of spatial distribution should be delegated back to the Head of Planning (Regulation) in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Strategic Planning Board for investigation.

In order to give proper effect to the Board`s intentions and without changing the substance of the decision, authority is delegated to Head of Planning (Regulation), in consultation with the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Board, to correct any technical slip or omission in the wording of the resolution, between approval of the minutes and issue of the decision notice.

(The meeting adjourned for lunch between 12.35pm until 1.15pm).