The Northern Planning Committee met on Wednesday, 5th October, to determine three planning applications relating to two blocks of apartments in Alderley Edge.
The three applications, which were 'called-in' to committee at the request of Councillor Craig Browne, were all recommended for approval by the planning officers.
However, members of the committee disagreed with the officer's recommendation and voted to refuse planning permission for all three applications.
The first two planning applications were both for an apartment block at 10, Congleton Road, on the site of a former detached dwelling. Touted as the first crowdfunded new-build development in Cheshire, The first scheme was for three apartments and the second was for four apartments in an identical building externally.
Hale-based property crowdfunding platform, The House Crowd, launched the second fundraising phase for its No 10 Alderley Edge development to investors in August, after the first phase, launched in April this year, raised £530,000 to fund the purchase and initial stages of development.
Work began clearing the existing site in May, as planning permission has been granted for two duplex apartments, however both of these latest applications were refused on the grounds of over-development, over-utilisation of the site and having a harmful impact on the Conservation Area. Eleven of the committee members voted to refuse both applications, whilst one member abstained.
Councillor Craig Browne said "As both the Ward Councillor and a member of the Committee, I spoke of my concerns about the continued sub-division of plots and the potentially negative impact of this on the Conservation Area."
Councillor Mike Dudley-Jones spoke on behalf of the Parish Council who recommended refusal of the Congleton Road scheme on the grounds that it is inappropriate development of the site.
Additionally, a third application to demolish a vacant storage building situated behind No's 14 to 18 London Road and replace it with a two and a half storey residential block of one bedroom apartments was also recommended for approval by the planning officer.
However, the development of three apartments was refused by the Northern Planning Committee on the grounds of over-development, over-utilisation and inadequate amenity (i.e. open space) for the proposed residents.
The vote was much closer, with five committee members voting in favour and six against.
Councillor Craig Browne said "Both Cllr Dudley-Jones and I spoke on the topic of parking and the potential impact three new apartments (without private parking) would have in the centre of the village. A representative of Aberdeen Asset Management (who own the land adjacent to Waitrose) also spoke to confirm that the applicant has not sought permission to access the site across the land that belongs to them."
Councillor Browne added "This is the first time I have known three applications that had been recommended for approval by planning officers, to be overturned at the same committee meeting. Of course, it is still possible that the applicants could take these decisions to appeal, but today feels like a good day for Alderley Edge and I also feel that the result vindicates my decision to call the applications to Northern Planning Committee in the first place."
The three applications can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning references 16/4087M, 16/3569M and 16/3610M.
