Agenda item

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Having exercised his separate speaking rights as a Ward Councillor, Councillor S Edgar withdrew from the meeting for the duration of the Committee’s consideration of this item.

Note: Parish Councillor W McIntyre (on behalf of Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council), Mr H Ashworth and Mrs B Kelly (objectors) and Mr S Taylor (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

(a)  That, for the reasons set out in the report, the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1.            The proposed residential development is unacceptable because it is located within the Open Countryside and would result in the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land, contrary to Policies NE.2 (Open Countryside) RES.5 (Housing in Open Countryside) and  NE.12 (Agricultural Land Quality) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan, Policies PG 5 and SE 2 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 Shavington, Willaston and Crewe 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.

(b)  That, 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 (Regulation) be granted delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chairman of the Southern Planning Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

(c)  That, should this application be the subject of an appeal, the following Heads of Terms should be secured as part of any S106 Agreement:

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 POS and a LEAP and a scheme of management

3.            Private residents management company to maintain all on-site open space, including footpaths