Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Edgar and Councillor Houston.

Councillor Gage and Councillor Wilson attended as substitutes.

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 a pre-determination in respect of any item on the agenda.

In the interest of openness and transparency, the following declaration was made;

That all Members of the Strategic Planning Board, including substitutes, had received correspondence directly from Bloor Homes, Sandbach Verus Overdevelopment and a local resident.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2025 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

 That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th October 2025 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 Strategic Planning Board

·         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 Strategic Planning Board and are not the Ward Member

·         Objectors

·         Supporters

·         Applicants

RESOLVED:

That the public speaking procedure be noted.

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above planning application.

The following attended the meeting and made representations in relation to the application;

Councillor Corcoran (Ward Councillor)

Councillor Tim Wheatcroft (Sandbach Town Council)

Councillor John Bradley and Councillor Caroline Tapper (Betchton Parish Council)

Dennis Smith (Objector)

Leanne Welch (Objector)

Sebastian Tibenham & Toby Hudson (Agent / Applicant Representative)

RESOLVED:

That application 25/0211/OUT be REFUSED, contary to Officer recommendation for the following reason;

The proposed development would result in harm to the setting of the Leonard Cheshire Home (The Hill), Oakley House and Oakley Coach House which are designated heritage assets and in accordance with paragraph 11(d) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), are assets of particular importance. The adverse impacts of the proposal on the setting of the designated heritage assets would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the public benefits of providing housing. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy SE 7 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, Policies HER 1 and HER 4 of the Site Allocations and Development Plan Policies Document, Policy HC1 of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan and advice within the NPPF.