One dwelling at Land At Lostock Hall Road, Poynton

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for one residential dwelling, with only the site, use and amount decided at this stage.

“Given the statutory constraints of a permission in principle, it is considered that a residential scheme in principle (site location, the type and amount of development) could be provided on site.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The vacant site is in the Green Belt and open countryside, with no relevant site history, although nearby housing schemes had been approved.

“The application site is located at Lostock Hall Road, Poynton. The site is a vacant parcel of land which has been recently cleared of vegetation. Some tree stumps are present, but the site is now generally free from significant vegetation. The site is bounded by post and rail fencing and hedgerows to various boundaries.”

“The site and its surrounds are washed over by a Green Belt designation, and for the purposes of the Local Plan the land is within the open countryside.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the site grey belt, sustainable and suitable in principle, with detailed matters left for a later stage.

“The proposals are not considered to fall within the ‘limited infilling in villages’ exception to inappropriate development. In consideration of the exception within paragraph 155 of the NPPF, that relating to grey belt, it is accepted that the application site represents grey belt land, it is also considered that the application site falls in a sustainable location.”

“It is not possible for conditions to be attached to a grant of permission in principle, and its terms may only include the site location, the type of development and amount of development. The PPG advises that where permission in principle is granted by application, the default duration of that permission is 3 years. Planning obligations (S.106 Legal Agreements) cannot be secured at the permission in principle stage.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The town council objected over Green Belt harm, access, countryside, wildlife and services, while highways, environmental health and United Utilities raised no objections.

“Poynton with Worth Town Council – object on the following grounds: • The proposed development and associated use would cause substantial harm to the character, openness and appearance of the area and in particular cause harm to the North Cheshire Green Belt within which the application site lies.”

“The applicant has referred to another site off Lostock Hall Road granted planning consent for two houses on appeal (ref. 23/0927M) and subsequently three houses (25/2028/FUL). However, the current application site is entirely distinct and separate from the earlier site, which therefore does not establish any type of precedent. In particular, the earlier site is largely surrounded by existing houses while this site borders open countryside.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A town councillor and the agent attended and spoke about the application.

The committee 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.”

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

Minutes