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.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th July 2023 as a correct record.

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 July 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

That the public speaking procedure be noted.

To consider the above planning application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Councillor Marilyn Leather (Prestbury Parish Council) and Caroline Payne (Agent) attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED:

That for the reasons set out in the report, the application be APPROVED, subject to an amendment to the description, to be agreed with the applicant, and the following conditions:

1. Commencement of development (3 years)

2. Development in accordance with approved plans

3. Materials as application

4. Landscape scheme to be submitted

5. Implementation of approved landscape scheme

6. Removal of Permitted Development rights

7. Arboricultural works to be carried out in accordance with Arboricultural statement

8. Tree protection

9. Nesting birds survey

10. Ecological enhancement

11. Details of boundary treatment to be submitted

12. Surface water drainage scheme to be submitted

13. Prevention of birds during construction – details to be submitted

14. Prevention of birds post construction – details to be submitted

15. No upward light spill on exterior lighting

16. No residential use of the ancillary outbuilding during construction

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 Chair) 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 and in the event of any subsequent appeal.

The Committee adjourned for a short break.

To consider the above planning application.

This item was WITHDRAWN from the agenda by Officers prior to the meeting.

To consider the above planning application.

This item was WITHDRAWN from the agenda by Officers prior to the meeting.

To consider the above planning application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(Ben Kettle (Agent) and Robbie Kerr (Architect) attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED:

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

1. The proposal would represent an inappropriate form of development in the Green Belt which would reduce openness. Substantial weight is given to this harm. Very special circumstances that would clearly outweigh the harm do not exist. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy policy PG 3; Site Allocations and Development Policies Document policy RUR 13; and the provisions of Chapter 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. The size and appearance of the proposed Classical, country estate style dwellinghouse would appear out of scale within the context of the relatively modest plot in which it would be located. Together with the inappropriate proposed gated access and perimeter boundary treatment, the development would fail to make a positive contribution to the area and it would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the wider landscape. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy policies SD 1, SD 2, SE 1 and SE 4; Site Allocations and Development Policies Document policies GEN 1 and RUR 13; and the provisions of Chapters 12 and 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

3. The proposed development would have a moderate-high impact upon a maternity colony and minor roost of bats, which are protected and priority species. The reasons for or benefits of the proposed development do not outweigh the adverse impacts of the proposed development upon these species and so the proposals are contrary to Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy policy SE 3; Site Allocations and Development Policies Document policy ENV 2; and Chapter 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework. In considering the application under the Habitat Regulations, the proposed development is not of overriding public interest and there are suitable alternatives to the proposal which would have a reduced impact upon bats. The application therefore fails to comply with the licensing tests in the Habitat Regulations. Natural England would consequently be unlikely to grant a protected species license in this instance.

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 Chair) 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.