Agenda item

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Ward Councillor and the Councillor who called in the application Councillor Steven Edgar, Clare Bland, Leith Planning Ltd, on behalf of Barthomeley Parish Council and Viv Belcher a Local Resident Objector attended the meeting and spoke against the application.

Ian Macbeth a Local Supporter attended the meeting to speak in favour and answer any questions the Committee had.) 

RESOLVED:

That, for the reasons set out in the report, the application be REFUSED as recommended for the following reasons:

1)    The proposed development is located within the Green Belt and in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposed development does not preserve the openness of the Green Belt. No very special circumstances have been identified and planning permission should not be granted. The proposed development is therefore unacceptable in principle and conflicts with Cheshire East Local Plan Policy PG3, saved Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan Policy NE.1 and the NPPF.

2)    No Noise Assessment, proposed flight paths or details of the direction of take[1]ff/landing has been submitted as part of this application. The Local Planning Authority consider that insufficient information has been provided in order to adequately assess the noise impact of the proposed development upon residential amenity and a nearby riding school. In the absence of this information, it has not been possible to demonstrate that the proposal would comply with policies BE1, RT16 and NE17 of the Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan and Policies EG2, SC1 and SE12 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy and the NPPF.

3)    The site is in close proximity to the Midland Meres & Mosses – Phase 2 Ramsar, Oakhanger Moss Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Black Firs & Cranberry Bog SSSI and Sandbach Flashes SSSI. The application could have potential significant effects on these designated sites, and no Habitat Regulations Assessment has been provided. It is not possible to determine the significance of these impacts and the scope for mitigation. Therefore, the proposed development is contrary to Policy SE3 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, Policies NE.6 and NE.7 of the Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan and the NPPF.

4)    The proposed building would be sited on the route of Public Right of Way Barthomley FP9. No details have been provided to demonstrate how the PROW could be diverted. The development would prejudice public access onto the PROW and the proposed development is contrary to Policy RT.9 of the Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan.

5)    A major hazard pipeline crosses the site, there is a risk of harm to people at the proposed development site and there are sufficient reasons on safety grounds, for advising against the granting of planning permission in this case. No information has been provided to show how the field will be converted to a landing strip together with mitigation to protect the gas pipeline. The proposed development is contrary to Policy BE.21 of the Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan.

In order to give proper effect to the Committee`s intent and without changing the substance of its decision, authority is delegated to the Head of Development Management in consultation with the Chair (or in their absence the Vice Chair) to correct any technical slip or omission in the resolution, before issue of the decision notice.