Up to four homes at Land To The Rear Of Pusey Dale Close, Crewe

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for up to four self-build homes with associated infrastructure and ancillary facilities.

“This application seeks Permission in Principle (PiP) for the erection of up to 4 no. self-build dwellings with associated infrastructure and ancillary facilities.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.34-hectare site is open, undulating land in the countryside and Green Gap, beside Shavington’s settlement boundary, with trees and hedgerows.

“The application site extends to 0.34 hectares and is located to the west of Main Road, Shavington within the Open Countryside and Green Gap.”

“The site forms part of an area of open land which is undulating. The site access and to the southeast is bound by number of trees and hedgerow, including four which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

The wider site has permissions for an ecological burial ground, while earlier proposals included refused housing and burial-ground applications.

“24/4112/VOC - Variation of conditions 2 and 18 on application 21/1920N - Installation of an ecological burial ground with associated access, car parking and infrastructure with ancillary facilities - Approved with Conditions 09-06-2025”

“20/5236N - Installation of an ecological burial ground with associated access, car parking and associated infrastructure with ancillary facilities - Refused 04-03-2021”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because housing and economic benefits outweighed the policy conflict and other adverse impacts.

“However, the Council is unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing, and paragraph 11d of the NPPF is engaged. The NPPF seeks to boost significantly the supply of housing and the development of up to 4 houses would make a small contribution to meeting the Councils housing need.”

“The adverse impacts of the proposal would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies within the NPPF. The proposed development would benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development which weighs heavily in support of the proposed development. Therefore, the application is recommended for approval.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, environmental health and flood-risk consultees raised no objections, while the parish council had made no comments when reported.

“Environmental Health: No objection, informatives suggested.”

“Shavington Parish Council: No comments received at the time of writing…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Eleven objection letters raised concerns about wildlife, burial use, residential impacts, highways, trees, drainage, policy and insufficient application detail.

“Loss of view/outlook • Impact upon wildlife • Site should be retained for natural burials • Loss of light • Highways impact • Impact upon TPO trees • Unsustainable development • Permission in Principle is inappropriate • Active burial ground • Land use conflict • Risk of creeping development…”

“Impact upon residential amenity • Impact upon the setting of the burial site • Surface water drainage • Conflict with planning ref: 24/4112/VOC • Lack of detail contained within the PiP • United Utilities not requested to comment on the application • Conflicts with planning policy…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An agent attended the meeting and spoke about the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application for the reasons set out in the officer report.

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

Minutes