Detached three-bedroom house at Adjacent To The Old Stables, Bollington, Macclesfield

What was proposed

The application sought permission for a detached three-bedroom house over two floors, with access, parking and turning areas.

“The application proposals seek planning permission for the construction of a detached 3- bedroom house.”

“The site would be accessed via a private road/track to the east which goes on to serve various other properties. A new driveway would be created that would extend to a parking area and turning area to the north of the proposed dwelling within the application site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and appeal

Earlier applications included a withdrawn bungalow proposal and a refused dwelling proposal, followed by a dismissed appeal in 2023.

“22/0699M: Construction of a detached dwelling – refused 6 January 2023.”

“An appeal against that decision was subsequently lodged and was dismissed on the 19 December 2023 under appeal reference 3321535)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was grey belt, housing need remained unmet, the location was sustainable and harm was limited.

“The application site is within the Green Belt and is not previously developed. The site would appear as part of a village for the purposes of the Framework test. However, the proposal would still not represent limited infilling. The site does not make a strong contribution to purposes a), b) or d) of the Green Belt as set out at paragraph 143 of the Framework and therefore comprises ‘Grey Belt’ land.”

“The Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year supply of housing and there is a demonstrable unmet need for the type of development proposed. Therefore, any assessment is taken to Framework paragraph 11(d).”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

The town council objected, while highways, environmental health, United Utilities and airport safeguarding raised no objection subject to stated matters; the flood authority objected over drainage.

“Environmental Health – No objections, subject to Conditions.”

“Lead Local Flood Authority – Objections, as no drainage scheme has been submitted.”

Officer report

Residents’ comments

Two representations raised concerns about utility cables, previous refusals, Green Belt development, settlement merging, precedent and public notification.

“Development on this site would directly contribute to urban sprawl from Bollington towards Kerridge. This is precisely the kind of incremental creep the green belt is designed to prevent.”

“A general comment about concerns as to how the list of consultees and neighbours has been determined. Also, about the lack of physical notices being displayed on lamp posts, therefore restricting public awareness. It does not support nor object to the actual proposal.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor, an objector and the agent attended and spoke; the councillor then left and took no part in the debate or vote.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application for the reasons in the report, subject to the listed conditions and an additional chimney condition.

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

“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 issues, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Northern Planning Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”

Minutes