Plans for a house in the green belt have been approved despite the ward councillor's claims it would threaten to close the sensitive gap between Bollington and the village of Kerridge.

The application, for the property on land adjacent to The Old Stables on Jackson Lane, Bollington, was determined by the northern planning committee, rather than an officer under delegated authority, after it was 'called in' by Bollington councillor Ken Edwards (Lab).

He told Wednesday's (April 22) meeting a previous application for the site had been refused by the council and an appeal inspector, and 'it is the nature of this grey belt situation that we're facing that enables this modern building to be placed in this most sensitive position'.

Cllr Edwards said: "It does seem to me that we should not be considering this as grey belt, we should be considering this site as part of a larger site that contributes to the protection of the heritage elements of the particular Kerridge area, which is part of the historic town of Bollington."

Objector David Teal, who lives near the site, said he was not a planning expert but what he had read led him to the conclusion that 'to interpret this plot of land as grey belt is complete folly, and how Cheshire East can buy into that is confusing'.

He said to develop the site would quite literally be linking Bollington with Kerridge.

He added: "This is a substantial parcel of land, and I believe that approval here will set a precedent for further building applications on this prominent greenfield site."

But committee members believed the site did meet grey belt criteria.

advertisement

Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake (Macclesfield, Lab) said: "I don't have a problem with this one. The design looks good. It seems to have been built into the little hill.

"The materials are in keeping with, as much as it can be, the heritage buildings nearby."

Cllr Fiona Wilson (Macclesfield, Lab) said: "In terms of the location, it is developed on three sides… and it drops down really, really, really steeply, so this isn't an issue where there's a big piece of land that you're going to put another house next door."

She said the access is already in place.

"I think the design is really interesting, and I welcome the reassurances about it being Kerridge stone," said Cllr Wilson.

"It's in a sustainable location. There's a school just across the road, there's shops at the very bottom of Grimshaw Lane."

She said it ticked all the boxes regarding grey belt and moved the application be approved.

This was seconded by Cllr Thelma Jackson (Prestbury, Con) and seven councillors voted in favour and two abstained.

advertisement