Agenda item

To consider the above application.

Consideration was given to the above application.

(A statement was read out by Mrs S Baxter, the Democratic Services Officer on behalf of Councillor S Corcoran, the Ward Councillor and Patrick Downes, the agent for the application attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the application).

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reasons:-

1.This is a prominent site in Sandbach. The Council has undertaken a Building for Life Assessment which finds that the proposed development does not result in the creation of a high quality, beautiful and sustainable place and on this basis the development should be refused. The proposed development is contrary to Policy SE1, SD1 and SD2 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, Policy H2 of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan and guidance contained within the NPPF.

2.The application site is of a very challenging topography in a prominent location. The application includes an engineered retaining wall and minimal landscape mitigation. Furthermore, the application does not include sections information in relation to the proposed development and further retaining structures may be required. The development would not work with the flow and grain of the landscape and cause harm to the character and appearance of the area. This approach runs counter to the need to work with topography and landscape as described by the National Design Guide, Building for Life, the Cheshire East Borough Design Guide and Policies SD2, SE1 and SE4 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, PC2 of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan and guidance contained within the NPPF.

3.The proposed Public Open Space is located adjacent to the A534 and is sited at a lower level to the proposed dwellings which generally back onto the open space. The proposed development does not integrate the open space/play area into the development and the area is likely to be the subject of anti-social behaviour. The proposed development is contrary to Policies SE6, SE1, SD1 and SD2 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, and Policy H2 of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan.

4.The proposed development will result in a significant change to the character of footpath FP19 which would be heavily influenced by the urban character of the development, particularly where it runs along the spine road and through the open space. As a result, there would be conflict with Policies SE1 and CO1 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, Policy GR16 of the Congleton Local Plan, and Policy PC5 of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan as the development has not taken into account the existing footpath network, would not achieve a high-quality public realm that enhances conditions for pedestrians, would not be pleasant to access on foot.

5.The proposed development does not provide a full mix of open market housing to help support a mixed, balanced and inclusive community. The proposed development is contrary to Policies SC4 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy, H3 of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan (Second Edition) and HOU1 of the Cheshire East Site Allocations and Development Policies Document.

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

(Prior to consideration of the following item, the meeting was adjourned for a short break).