Cheshire East's strategic planning board has refused an application for additional industrial units in Sutton – a month after the council's northern planning committee voted in favour of it.

The application, from AM Bell Ltd to build three additional units within the existing Hawkshead Heavy Industrial and Haulage Park at Hawkshead Quarry on Leek Old Road, had been recommended for refusal by the council's officers when it was considered by the northern planning committee last month because the site is in the open countryside.

That committee indicated at its meeting on December 7 it was minded to approve the scheme because it would be create jobs, have a positive impact on the local economy, because of the nature conservation and forestry conservation improvements proposed and because the land is a long standing industrial site.

The application was then referred to the strategic planning board to consider because the northern planning committee's 'approval' was a departure from open countryside policy.

Macclesfield: It puts an end to a saga that lasted five years. Do you think it was the right call? (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

At Wednesday's meeting (January 25) the strategic planning board overturned the decision of the northern planning committee.

Cllr Andrew Gregory (Sutton, Ind), speaking as a visiting member, said Sutton Parish Council was supportive of the scheme.

"This is a historic site. It's an old quarry. It is primarily used for eight businesses, a large part of it is the service and MoT services to HGVs, and there is a significant amount of HGV movement in and around the local roads," said Cllr Gregory.

"The intention being from the applicant to phase that out and to modernise the site and bring in these light industrial units."

Cllr Andrew Gregory, Independent.

He told the board: "There's a balance here between the need to observe the policies which have been suggested by the officers that need to be adhered to, and actually reflecting the needs of the local economy here."

He said under the new planning policy approved by the council there is recognition that an existing business for sustainable purposes can be supported.

"This is an existing business. It's been around for at least 60 years and what's happening here is it's moving with the times, it's trying to develop, it's trying to bring in new opportunities," said Cllr Gregory.

Councillors were told the new units would be built on existing hardstanding and the application would create 40 jobs.

Macclesfield councillor Brian Puddicombe (Lab)

Macclesfield councillor Brian Puddicombe (Lab) said: "We are being asked to overturn a decision of the northern planning committee.

"I understand the reasons why we are here, but there were hints if the application was slightly differently worded it could well be down for approval rather than refusal and I would like to think that we would be supporting rural job creation.

"As the northern planning committee said, is a longstanding industrial site."

He said he hoped the committee could support the applicant in this.

Cllr Steven Edgar

But other councillors feared this could set a precedent in other rural areas.

Cllr Steve Edgar (Haslington, Con) said: "If there were one or two exceptions or objections contrary to policy, but there are 11 policies that are being contravened."

He proposed the application be refused, as officers had recommended.

Cllr Craig Browne, Alderley Edge, Independent

Cllr Craig Browne seconded refusal saying: "My fear, if we were to approve this, is that we actually set a precedent and we would put at risk all those other areas across the borough that fall under the heading of open countryside so I can't regrettably endorse northern planning committee's decision."

The application was refused on the grounds the site is in the open countryside and is not an allocated employment site where new employment and industrial development is directed towards as per the Cheshire East Local Plan.

Seven councillors voted for refusal, two voted against and two councillors abstained.

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