Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor A Gage.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests in any item on the agenda and for Members to declare if they have pre-determined any item on the agenda.

In relation to application 25/3651/FUL, Councillor M Muldoon declared that he knew the applicant and that he would leave the meeting during the consideration of the application.

In relation to application 25/3651/FUL, all committee members declared that they had received correspondence from the agent on this application.

In relation to application 25/4742/PIP, Councillor L Buchanan declared that she was the ward councillor for this application but had not predetermined her decision and would keep an open mind and listen to all that was said before deciding on the application.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2026 be approved as a correct record.

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 total period of 3 minutes is allocated for each of the planning applications for the following:

·                Members who are not members of the planning committee and are not the Ward Member

·                Objectors

·                Supporters

·                Applicants

The public speaking time procedure was noted.

To consider the above planning application.

Consideration was given to the above planning application.

The following attended the meeting and spoke in relation to the application:

Congleton Town Councillor Amanda Martin, Mr Jonathan Marshall (objector) and Ms Imogen Zulver (agent).

RESOLVED:

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

1               insufficient information has been provided in which to consider the full drainage/flood risk impacts associated with the proposal and conflicts with Policy SE13 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, and ENV16 of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document and the National Planning Policy Framework.

2        the proposal does not provide suitable housing tenure split as the development would provide only Intermediate Shared Ownership affordable housing, when there is a clear housing need and policy requirement to provide 5 social or affordable rental properties in this development. The proposal would not therefore provide a mix of housing tenure and is therefore contrary to Policy SC5 of the CELPS and Policy 1 of the CDP.

3        the proposal would not provide safe/suitable access relying on access/regress from a single car width road with no suitable passing places which would result in severe highway conflict to both car users and pedestrians. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies SD1, SE2 of the CELPS and INF3 of the SADPD and Policy 22 of the CDP

4        the proposal by reason of its scale and siting would cause demonstrable harm to the setting of the Non-Designated Heritage Asset known as Dane Mill. The benefits of this development would not outweigh the harm caused and as such is contrary to Policy SE7 of the CELPS, HER1 & HER7 of the SADPD, Policy 4 and 19 of the CNP and the NPPF (in particular para 216).

In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Southern Planning Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

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

To consider the above planning application.

Having previously made a declaration of interest Councillor M Muldoon left the meeting during consideration of this application.

Consideration was given to the above planning application.

The following attended the meeting and spoke in relation to the application:

Mr David Cain (applicant)

RESOLVED:

That for the reasons set out in the report the application be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:

1               Time limit

2               Approved Plans

3               Submissions of Materials

4               Landscaping

5               Implementation of Landscaping

6               Tree Protection

7               Biodiversity Enhancements

8               Adherence to Construction Environmental Statement

9               Boundary Treatment

10           Low emission boiler provision

11           Contaminated land – importation of soil

12           Contaminated land – unexpected contaminated land

In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Southern Planning Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

To consider the above planning application.

Consideration was given to the above planning application.

The following attended the meeting and spoke in relation to the application:

Mr Russell Adams (agent).

RESOLVED:

That for the reasons set out in the report the application be APPROVED.

In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Southern Planning Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

To consider the above planning application.

Consideration was given to the above planning application.

The following attended the meeting and spoke in relation to the application:

Ms Ellen Macleod (agent).

RESOLVED:

That for the reasons set out in the report the application be APPROVED.

In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Southern Planning Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.