Up to 101 homes at Land Off London Road, Holmes Chapel

The site

The 3.41-hectare previously developed site lies within the Holmes Chapel settlement boundary, with hardstanding, vegetation, a railway and nearby homes and industry.

“The application relates to an area of land to the east of London Road within the Holmes Chapel Settlement Boundary. The site extends to 3.41 hectares and there is an existing vehicular access to the south-west corner of the site.”

“The site consists of previously developed land and the industrial buildings which stood on the site have now been demolished. The site currently consists of hardstanding and self- seeded vegetation.”

Officer report

Earlier site permissions

Earlier permissions covered a foodstore and petrol station, while a 2011 outline permission included homes and several other uses.

“14/5754C - variation of condition 23 (hours) attached to planning permission 13/3294C. Demolition of existing structures and erection of a Class A1 foodstore and petrol filling station with vehicular access, car parking, servicing area, public realm and hard and soft landscaping - Approved 1 st April 2015”

“11/1682C - Outline Application Including Means of Access for Up to 231 Residential Units, Local Needs Retail Foodstore (A1), Commercial Development Comprising B1(a) Offices, B1(c) Light Industrial, Medical Facility (D1), Care Home (C2) and Childrens Day Care Facility (D1), Part Retention of the Former Fisons Building (frontage), demolition of rear wings and Change of Use to Public House (A4), Restaurant (A3), Care Home (C2) and Hotel (C1) in addition to Provision of…”

Officer report

What officers advised

Officers found housing, economic, location and infrastructure benefits, but recommended refusal because Jodrell Bank harm would outweigh those benefits.

“The proposal falls within the consultation zone for Jodrell Bank (a designated World Heritage Site). The University of Manchester have confirmed that they oppose this development. The development would impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope (Outstanding Universal Value) and would be contrary to Policy SE14 of the CELPS and HER9 of the SADPD.”

“The proposal is a new residential development that would impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescopes which is a World Heritage Site. The public benefits would not outweigh the harm and the proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to Policy SE14 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy and Policy HER9 of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish councillor, two objectors and the agent attended and spoke about the application.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to refuse the application for the reasons in the report and update report.

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

Minutes

Why it was refused

The committee found harm to Jodrell Bank and unacceptable residential amenity from Bespak noise, with poor integration with the existing business use.

“1 The proposal is a new residential development that would impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescopes which is a World Heritage Site. The public benefits would not outweigh the harm and the proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to Policy SE14 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy and Policy HER9 of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document and guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Minutes