Agenda item

To consider the above planning application.

Note: Prior to consideration of this application, the meeting was adjourned for refreshments.

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 W Atteridge (objector) and Ms E George (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 and a written update.

RESOLVED

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

1.            The proposed residential development is unacceptable because it is located within the Green Gap and Open Countryside, contrary to Policies; NE.2 (Open Countryside), NE.4 (Green Gap) and RES.5 (Housing in Open Countryside) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Adopted Replacement Local Plan 2011; Policy PG5 (Open Countryside) PG4a (Strategic Green Gaps) and  of the emerging 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.            The proposed development would result in the loss of BMV Agricultural Land and have an adverse impact on the landscape character of the area. It is considered that the development is unsustainable because of the unacceptable environmental impact of the scheme in terms of loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and the adverse impact upon the landscape character. These factors significantly and demonstrably outweigh the economic and social benefits in terms of its contribution to boosting housing land supply, including the provision of affordable housing and Public Open Space. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies NE.2 (Open Countryside), NE4 (Green Gap) and RES.5 (Housing in Open Countryside) of the adopted Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Adopted Replacement Local Plan 2011 and Policies PG5 (Open Countryside), PG4a (Strategic Green Gaps and SE2 (Efficient Use of Land) of the emerging Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy Version - 2016, and the provisions of the NPPF.

(b)  That, in order to give proper effect to the Committee’s intentions and without changing the substance of the decision, authority be delegated to the Head of Planning (Regulation), in consultation with the Chairman (or in her absence the Vice Chairman) of Southern Planning Committee, to correct any technical slip or omission in the wording of the resolution, between approval of the minutes and issue of the decision notice.

(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:

·         Dwellings of an appropriate mix of bedrooms and/or older person properties to reflect local need

·         A requirement for the applicant/developer to transfer any rented affordable units to a Registered Provider

·         Details of when the affordable housing is required

·         Provisions that require the affordable homes to be let or sold to people who are in housing need and have a local connection. The local connection criteria used in the agreement should match the Councils allocations policy.

·         The requirement for an affordable housing scheme to be submitted prior to commencement of the development that includes full details of the affordable housing on site.

2.            Provision of 1015 square metres of on-site Public Open Space (POS) to be maintained by either a private management company or the Council for a fee to be agreed.

3.            Commuted sum of £21,000 for the enhancement of children's play facilities on Vine Tree Avenue, Shavington