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DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE

15 NOVEMBER 2007 

PRESENT:  Councillor M A Hollins, Chair;     

Deputy Mayor, Councillor M A Martin, Councillors D H D Charlesworth, W S Davies, R E Dodd, B H Dykes, C Goff, E Howell, J Jones, M Roberts,  J I Stockton, C G Thorley and J Wright    

IN ATTENDANCE (FOR PART OF THE MEETING): 

Councillors J A Beech, D Brickhill, J Hammond and S W Hogben   

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

49        Councillor Dykes declared a personal interest in item 6 of the planning applications list (P07/1157) as a member of Wulvern Housing’s Board.  

MINUTES

50        RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18th October 2007 be approved as a correct record. 

APPLICATIONS UNDER THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

51        The Borough Planning Officer submitted the following applications for determination.

1.         P07/0749       Outline Application for Demolition of Existing Dwelling             

and Erection of Three Dwellings, 306 Newcastle Road, Shavington for Mr & Mrs S Odams     

DEFERRED:     Reason          

Site Inspection requested to assess potential overdevelopment of site and impact on amenities.

(Note: In Accordance with procedure Rule 26(2), Councillor Brickhill spoke on the application having given the required notice.)

2.         P07/1012       Eight New Dwellings, 72 Heathfield Road, Audlem for Markden Ltd

Subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the provision of on-site affordable housing -  

APPROVED:     Conditions

1                    Standard

2                    Materials

3                    Approved drawings

4                    Boundary treatment

5                    Landscaping

6                    Access and parking

7                    Tree protection (fencing)

8                    Curtilage

9                    Demolition

10                  Drainage details

11                  No materials to be stored under trees

12                  Bin storage plot 7

13                  Landscaped areas to be retained and not hardstanding

14                  Private drive to be formed to sub-based level

15                  Two for one replacement tree planting

16                  Obscure glazing in the openings on the side elevation of plot 1

17                  Nesting birds

18                  Bats during construction

19                  Newts during construction      

3.         P07/1104       Agricultural Building for Storage and Use as Workshop, Open Topped Crop Storage Bay, Top End Farm, Barthomley Road, Crewe Green for The Duchy of Lancaster  

APPROVED:     Conditions

1                    Standard

2                    Plans

3                    Materials

4                    Drainage

5                    Use in relation to agricultural activities at Top End Farm only   

4.         P07/1152       Poultry House and Retention of Hopper and Ancillary Buildings, The Pinfold, Poole for Mr M Hockenhull     

Subject to no objections from Natural England -

APPROVED:     Conditions

1                    Standard

2                    Materials

3                    Plans

4                    Landscaping scheme

5                    Implementation and maintenance of landscaping

6                    No development until water main is relocated

7                    Details of floor level

8                    Drainage

9                    Impervious base to any chemical storage facilities    

(Note: In accordance with Procedure Rule 26(2), Councillor Beech spoke on the application having given the required notice.)     

5.         P07/1154       Subdivision of Existing Building to 6 Flats, Demolition of Existing Outbuilding and Erection of 7 Flats, 2 Garages, Cycle and Bin Store, Former MacDougall Rose Decorators Centre, Electricity Street, Crewe for Mr P Holland  

REFUSED:     Reasons

1         Due to the proximity of the proposed dwellings to sources of road and railway noise and the lack of evidence in the form of a noise assessment to demonstrate that the future occupants will not suffer a loss of amenity as a result of this relationship the proposal conflicts with Policy BE.1 (Amenity) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan and also national planning guidance contained within PPG.24 (Planning and Noise).    

2          Due to the proposed layout of the site and position and width of the vehicular access the proposal is considered to provide unsatisfactory vehicular access arrangements as there would be insufficient room for two vehicles to pass along the access.  This would lead to vehicles reversing onto Electricity Street to the detriment of highway safety.  This conflicts with Policy BE.3 (Access and Parking) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.    

6.         P07/1157       Outline Application for 74 Extra Care Units in Two Storey Building, Pickmere Court, Crewe for Wulvern Housing Limited  

REFUSED:     Reason

The application site exceeds 1 hectare and the proposal is not accompanied by a site specific flood risk assessment to determine the potential impacts of flooding generated by the development.  The proposal therefore conflicts with PPS.25 (Development and Flood Risk) and also Policy BE.4 (Drainage, Utilities and Resources) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.   

7.         P07/1198       12 Dwellings, 425 Crewe Road, Winterley for Pochin Homes Limited  

REFUSED:     Reasons

1          The proposed development involves the demolition of a building included on the list of buildings of local interest for its architectural distinctiveness and character and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the reasons for the development outweigh the need to safeguard the building.  This conflicts with Policy BE.13 (Buildings of Local Interest) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.   

2          The proposed development involves dwellings constructed outside the defined settlement boundary of Winterley.  This represents an unwarranted encroachment into the open countryside.  Part of the site consists of a windfall site and therefore the provision of affordable units should be delivered within the part of the site falling within the settlement boundary.  The proposal therefore conflicts with Policies NE.2 (Open Countryside), RES.5 (Housing in the Open Countryside) and RES.8 (Affordable Housing in Rural Areas Outside Settlement Boundaries – Rural Exceptions Policy) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.

3          The proposal would result in the loss of a group of trees the subject of Tree Preservation Order (TPO185).  These trees are highly prominent within the wider area and their loss is not justified.  This would result in a significant loss to the visual amenity of the area and natural conservation resource.  Equally the construction of the dwellings at plots 5 and 6 in close proximity to the existing Beech Tree the subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO185) would result in a significant over shadowing of the front habitable room windows of these dwellings and would therefore lead to a loss of amenity to the future occupants.  This in turn would lead to future pressure to lop or fell this tree and would be difficult to resist.  This conflicts with Policies NE.5 (Nature Conservation and Habitats), BE.1 (Amenity) and BE.2 (Design Standards) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.                             

4          The development by reason of the height, scale and position of the dwellings fronting onto Crewe Road would overdominate the adjacent property at number 421 Crewe Road and would therefore adversely affect the street scene.  This conflicts with Policy BE.2 (Design Standards) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.             

8.         P07/1215       Retention of Portacabin, Oakhanger Equestrian Centre, Holmshaw Lane, Oakhanger for Mr G O’Shea   

DEFERRED:     Reason

To allow further consideration of the 5 year temporary period. 

(Note: In accordance with Procedure Rule 26(2), Councillor Hammond spoke on the application with the permission of the Committee.) 

9.         P07/1221       Outline Permission for Demolition of Nursing Home and Construction of Fourteen Dwellings, Minshull Court Nursing Home, Minshull New Road, Crewe for Keenrick Nursing Homes Ltd            

APPROVED:     Conditions

1-3                 Standard

4                    Materials

5                    Surfacing materials

6                    Boundary treatment

7                    Retention of garage space

8                    Landscape to be submitted

9                    Landscape to be completed

10                   Tree and hedgerow protection to front boundary

11                   Drainage details

12                   Provide car parking

13                   Removal of trees/hedgerow outside the bird breeding season

14                   New access to be constructed to Cheshire County Council specification

15                   Contaminated land survey

16                   Footway/cycle link

17                   Plans 

10.       P07/1241       Loft Conversion with 2 New Rear Dormers, 2 Rear Rooflights and a Side Second Floor Window, 6 Aldersey Way, Bunbury for Mr & Mrs Melia  

APPROVED:     Conditions

1                    Standard

2                    Amended plan

3                    No new windows/dormers

4                    Materials to match                         

11.       P07/1295       Extension to Existing Production and Despatch Facilities, New Primebake Ltd, Whitchurch Road, Newhall for New Primebake Ltd  

DEFERRED:     Reason

Site Inspection requested to access the scale of development, its relationship to the brook and the impact on protected species.  

12.       P07/1363       Demolition of Existing House and Garage and Erection of Three Dwellings (Resubmission), The Limes 159 Main Road, Shavington for Mr & Mrs T Tonks           

APPROVED:     Conditions

1                    Standard

2                    Materials

3                    Surfacing materials

4                    Access to Cheshire County Council specification

5                    Retention of garage spaces

6                    Provide car parking

7                    Construction traffic to access via Lime Grove only

8                    Obscure glazing

9                    Tree and hedgerow protection

10                   Landscaping to be submitted

11                   Landscape to be completed

12                   Boundary treatment

13                   Drainage

14                   No extensions and alterations

15                   Hand dig construction

16                   Plans

17                   Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings 

13.       P07/1385       Demolition of Dwellings and Erection of 4 New Dwellings Re-submission of P07/1209), Site at Station Road, Calveley for C & F Estates 

REFUSED:     Reasons 

1          The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development represents an overdevelopment of the site.  The dwellings fronting onto Station Road stand forward of the existing building line and appear too close to the carriageway edge.  Furthermore, the cramped development results in private amenity space which is restricted in size and due to the orientation of the site will result in sub standard amenities for the occupiers of the properties all contrary to Policies BE.1 (Amenity), BE.2 (Design Standards), RES.2 (Unallocated Housing Sites) and BE.3 (Access and Parking) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.

2          The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development is unacceptable as no information relating to affordable housing has been submitted with the application.  As such the proposal is contrary to Policy RES.7 (Affordable Housing within the Settlement Boundaries of Crewe, Nantwich and the Villages Listed in Policy RES.4) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.

3          In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the height and close proximity to the boundary and position of the window openings, of plots 3 and 4 would result in a loss of privacy to No. 1C The Firs and 18 and 19 The Chantry.  This would be to the detriment of their residential amenity and therefore contrary to Policies BE.1 (Amenity) and BE.2 (Design Standard) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.

4          The Local Planning Authority considers that the design of the proposed dwellings lacks the level of richness and detailing of the more traditional properties in the area and due to the highly prominent location in the village centre the development would have an impact on the character of the wider setting.  Furthermore, the design is somewhat simplistic and contrived, with the simple unbroken box-like form of the properties being merely decorated with arbitrary and insignificant features all to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area.  Contrary to Policies BE.1 (Amenity) and BE.2 (Design Standards) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011.              

14.       P07/1389       Plot Substitution for Plots 33 & 34 at Former Police Training Centre, Nantwich Road, Crewe for Morris Homes (West Midlands)

REFUSED:     Reason

The provision of the double garage attached to the dwelling presents an excessively long elevation close to the site boundary which would overdominate the adjoining area of the rear garden at 241 Manor Way, Crewe to the detriment of residential amenities at that property.  To allow the development would therefore be contrary to Policy BE.1 (Amenity) of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011. 

15.       P07/1415       Two Storey Extension to Existing Office Building with Associated Car Parking, Kindertons House, Marshfield Bank, Crewe for Kindertons Property Development Ltd    

APPROVED:     Conditions

1                    Standard

2                    Materials as existing

3                    Car parking

4                    Approved plans

5                    Travel plan

6                    Cycle parking 

SCHEME OF DELEGATION - PLANNING DECISIONS

52        The Committee considered the report of the Development Control Manager which set out proposals for amending the Council’s Scheme of Delegation - Planning Decisions. 

            In presenting the report, the Development Control Manager explained the rationale behind the proposed changes which were in part intended to address the implications of the Planning Reform Bill.  Whilst each of the options outlined in the report would increase the number of applications determined by officers, reassurances were given that the existing safeguard of the ‘call in’ procedure (whereby Councillors had the right to request that an application be determined by the Committee) would continue to apply.

The Committee was invited to recommend to Council its preferred option. 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:  That, subject to the exclusion of changes to small housing developments and barn conversions, Option 2 as outlined in the report and changes set out in the additional information report submitted, be approved and adopted as Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council’s Scheme of Delegation - Planning Decisions.  

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER: FOOLPENNY HALL, LONDON ROAD, NANTWICH (ORDER NO.208) TPO 2007

53        On 17th May 2007, a provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO No. 208) was made to safeguard a number of trees on an area of land at Foolpenny Hall, London Road, Nantwich, which could in the future be the subject of development. 

The Committee was invited to confirm the Order without modification. 

RESOLVED: That the Foolpenny Hall, London Road, Nantwich Tree Preservation Order Number 208 made provisionally on 17th May 2007 be confirmed without modification.  

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER: REASEHEATH COLLEGE, NANTWICH (ORDER NO. 209) TPO 2007

54        On 21st June 2007, a provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO No.209) was made to safeguard a Turkey Oak Tree within the grounds of Reaseheath College, which was located on an area of land which could be developed in the future. 

The Committee was invited to confirm the Order without modification. 

RESOLVED:  That the Reaseheath College, Nantwich Tree Preservation Order Number 209 made provisionally on 21st June 2007 be confirmed without modification. 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS DETERMINED UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY 

55        The Committee received for information the report of the Borough Planning Officer which gave details of the outcome of planning decisions delegated to and determined by the Borough Planning Officer during the period 1 October 2007 to 2 November 2007.    

OUTCOME OF PLANNING APPEALS       

56        The Committee received for information the monitoring report of the Borough Planning Officer which gave details of the results of the following appeals:

1

Application:

P06/0496   

 

Proposal:

One dwelling

 

Location:

Land adjacent Yew Tree House, Wrexham Road, Bulkeley  

 

Decision:      

Application refused

 

Outcome:      

Appeal dismissed

 

 

 

2

Application:

P06/1363

 

Proposal:

Retention of existing temporary access (Discharge of Condition 9 of P05/0213)  

 

Location:

Corbrook Court Private Nursing Home, Corbrook, Audlem    

 

Decision:      

Application refused

 

Outcome:      

Appeal dismissed

 

 

 

3

Application:

P07/0172

 

Proposal:

Removal of Condition 3 attached to planning permission P03/0789 to enable change of use to separate dwelling

 

Location:       

9A Shakespeare Drive, Crewe

 

Decision:      

Application refused

 

Outcome:

Appeal upheld

…………………………  Chair