Issue - meetings

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor S Davies, the Ward Councillor, Mr Stephens, an objector and Mr Goodwin, the agent for the applicant attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reasons:-

1.     The proposed use of the land for the siting of 20 twin caravan units to provide a chalet development with associated roads, hardstandings, lighting, cycle parking and an office building will result in the erosion of the character of this rural location, creating visual intrusion, away from any established settlement. To allow the development would be detrimental to the rural tranquillity of this area of open countryside and would erode the physical character of the location, detrimentally impacting on the appearance of the area, contrary to policies NE.2 (Open Countryside) and RT.6 (Recreation Uses in the Open Countryside) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.

2.     The proposed site for 20 timber clad twin caravan units would be located away from the village of Wrenbury, shops and services. Roads from the site to Wrenbury, the railway station and the local public houses are unlit and do not have footways. Whilst the station can also be accessed across fields the development site is not well related to the existing settlement, is not on any bus route and is located in a position which would not promote sustainable transport or encourage visitors to walk to these facilities. To allow the development would be contrary to policy EC7: Planning for Tourism in Rural Areas of PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth which seeks to promote sustainable tourism and leisure developments as well as policy W6 (Tourism and the Visitor Economy) and policy W7 (Principles for Tourism Development) of the North West of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021.

(This decision was contrary to the Officers recommendation of approval).