Agenda item

To consider the above planning application.

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

Note: Parish Councillors J Weddell and M Dixon (on behalf of Bulkeley and Ridley Parish Council) attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

Note: Mr B Thornley had not registered his intention to address the Committee on behalf of the applicant. However, in accordance with paragraph 2.8 of the public speaking rights at Strategic Planning Board and Planning Committee meetings, the Committee agreed to allow Mr Thornley to speak.

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 development would result in an increase in the number of dwellings provided on this site. The Council is now able to demonstrate a housing land supply of 7.2 years and there are no overriding reasons to allow an additional 4 units on this site. The proposed development would cause harm in respect of the environmental effect it would have due to its lack of accessibility to shops, services and facilities and as a result would represent unsustainable development. The development is contrary to the NPPF and Policies SD1 and SD2 of the CELPS.

2.            The density and detailed design of the proposed development fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions. The development would cause harm to the Open Countryside, character and appearance of the area and the Beeston/Peckforton/Bolesworth/Bickerton Hills Local Landscape Designation Area (LLD). The proposed development is contrary to Policies SE1, SE4, SD1 and SD2 of the CELPS, Policy NE.3 of the Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan, the Cheshire East design Guide and the NPPF.

3.             Insufficient information is included within the application to demonstrate that the proposed development would provide an acceptable surface water outfall. Without this information the proposed development is considered to be contrary to Policy SE13 of the CELPS and Policy BE.4 of the Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan.

(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 Development Management, following consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice Chairman) of Southern Planning Committee, to correct any technical slip or omission in the wording of the resolution, before issue of the decision notice.

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