Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests and for Members to declare if they have a pre-determination in respect of any item on the agenda.

In the interest of openness in respect of application 20/1866M, Councillor P Findlow declared that the applicant was a neighbour and therefore in accordance with the Code of Conduct would leave the virtual meeting prior to its consideration.

In the interest of openness in respect of applications 20/3684M and 20/3505M, Councillor T Dean declared that he knew the occupant of No.53 Manchester Road.

In the interest of openness in respect of applications 20/4003M, Councillor C Browne declared that he had called the application in and whilst Alderley Edge Parish Council had formed a view he had not taken part in any public debate or expressed a view.

In the interest of openness in respect of application 20/0133M, Councillor L Smetham declared whilst there was a quarry in her ward she had not been involved in the quarry related to the application.

It was noted that all Members had received correspondence in respect of application 20/0113M.

To approve the minutes of the virtual meeting held on 4 November 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the virtual meeting held on 4 November 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

A total period of 5 minutes is allocated for each of the planning applications for the following:

·         Ward Councillors who are not members of the Planning Committee

·         The relevant Town/Parish Council

A period of 3 minutes is allocated for each of the planning applications for the following individuals/groups:

• Members who are not members of the planning committee and are not the Ward Member
• Objectors
• Supporters
• Applicants

RESOLVED

That the public speaking procedure be noted.

(Prior to the start of the virtual meeting, Councillor N Mannion lost connection, however he re-joined prior to consideration of the following application).

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor A Gregory, the Ward Councillor and Nick Smith, the agent for the applicant attended the virtual meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

Subject to conditions regarding:-

(i)Staff Travel Plan and on site parking

(ii)Contaminated land

(iii)Electric vehicle infrastructure

(iv)Hours of operation and deliveries

(v)The occupation of Hawkshead House to remain associated with the operation of Hawkshead Quarry

(vi)Removal of HGV driver only parking bays on occupation of upper site

(vii)Submission of an ecological mitigation statement in order to minimise the impact on the wildlife

(viii)Removal of Japanese knotweed

(ix) Landscaping

The Committee was minded to approve the application because of:-

1.    Job Creation;

2.    Impact on the local economy;

3.    Benefit to the local road network by the reduction in HGV’s

4.    No environmental conditions in the current planning permission

However, in the opinion of the Head of Planning (Regulation), approval would result in a significant departure from policy, specifically policies PG6, EG2, SD1 and SD2 which protects open countryside.

Therefore, in accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Board resolved to refer the application to the Strategic Planning Board for determination.

In order to give proper effect to the Committee’s intentions and without changing the substance of the decision, authority is delegated to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice Chairman) of Northern 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.

(This decision was contrary to the officer’s recommendation of refusal).

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Parish Councillor M Dudley-Jones, representing Alderley Edge Parish Council, Bryan Kerr, an objector and Donna Barber, the agent for the applicant attended the virtual meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reasons:-

1.    Out of character, contrary to policies SD2 and SE1

2.    Inappropriate development in the Green Belt, contrary to policy PG3

In order to give proper effect to the Committee’s intentions and without changing the substance of the decision, authority is delegated to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice Chairman) of Northern 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.

(This decision was contrary to the officer’s recommendation of approval).

(The virtual meeting was adjourned for lunch from 1.10pm until 1.40pm).

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor M Sewart, a visiting Councillor, Parish Councillor D Franks, representing Prestbury Parish Council and Nick Smith, the agent for the applicant attended the virtual meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

That the application be deferred for more information from the Housing department and the applicant on the calculations regarding the affordable housing figures.

In order to give proper effect to the Committee’s intentions and without changing the substance of the decision, authority is delegated to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice Chairman) of Northern 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.

(Prior to consideration of the following application, Councillor B Puddicombe left the virtual meeting and did not return).

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor S Gardiner, the Ward Councillor and Jonathan Martin, the agent for the applicant attended the virtual meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

1.    That the application be refused due to lack of car parking contrary to parking standards due to the extent of existing on street parking in the local area.

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

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

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor S Gardiner, the Ward Councillor attended the virtual meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

1.    That the application be refused due to lack of car parking contrary to parking standards due to the extent of existing on street parking in the local area.

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

(This decision was contrary to the officers recommendation of approval.  The virtual meeting was adjourned for a short break).

To consider the above Tree Preservation Order.

Consideration was given to the above Tree Preservation Order.

(Phil Hobbs, an objector attended the virtual meeting and spoke in respect of the item).

RESOLVED

Consideration was given to the above Order.

RESOLVED

That the Cheshire East Borough Council (Knutsford - 2 Grassfield Way) Tree Preservation Order 2020 be confirmed without modification.

(Due to a technical matter with the speaker this item was taken after the agenda item relating to the Performance of the Planning Enforcement Service First Two Quarters 2020-2021).

To consider the above report.

Consideration was given to the above report.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.