Plans to build twenty apartments on a site adjacent to the bypass on Brook Lane have been refused.
Revised plans submitted by Jones Homes "to create to landmark building to mark the new visible boundary of Alderley Edge" were considered by the Northern Planning Committee to be overly dominant and unneighbourly.
This planning application sought to amend a previously approved scheme for eighteen apartments on the 0.4 hectare site previously occupied by Beech Lawn, a seven bedroom house built in the 20th century, and Wood Ride, a large bungalow built in the 1960's.
In January 1999 planning consent (reference 98/2054P) was granted on appeal for new access and eighteen apartments. The site was cleared in 2003 and work commenced on the new access road in May 2004. However, work ceased later that month when it became clear that progress was about to be made with the Alderley Edge bypass, which runs immediately west of the site boundary.
Planning Officer Sue Orrell told the Northern Planning Committee on Wednesday, 14th March, "The actual issues we need to address is the differences between the two schemes and whether these are enough to justify refusal of the application."
She added "The internal floor area is at least double and the roof area is much bigger. The scale and bulk of the building is considered to be overly dominant in this area."
Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application because the two blocks of apartments would be an overdevelopment of the plot and result in a cramped development. The sheer mass and scale of the buildings, particularly at roof level, were considered to be unsympathetic to the site and have a detrimental impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties. It was also considered that the scheme fails to deliver design to a sufficient standard.
This planning application (reference 11/4341M) can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council planning portal.
