Cllr Mike Williamson, former Chairman of the Planning Committee of Alderley Edge Parish Council, delivered a report at the Annual Council Meeting held on Monday, 12th May expressing his disappointment with Cheshire East Council's planning department and some of the applications they approved in the past year.
Cllr Williamson said "We have considered over 120 separate Planning Applications in the last 12 months. Within that total there have been many routine proposals and a few contentious applications which the Parish Council has struggled with.
"Overall, the performance of CEC Planning Department has been disappointing. The Parish Council adopted the preferred electronic method of consultation many years ago, but we still have issues with the process. The timing of notification of an application and the consultation period remains an erratic and frustrating aspect. The Parish Council has to wait far too long before we receive notice of an application; as a result, the subsequent consultation period is unnecessarily short and rarely fits into our four weekly cycle of plans meetings.
"The Government published a new National Planning Policy Framework some time ago, but has recently publish guidance to officers on the interpretation of this policy. This guidance is changing how officers deal with applications; it is now acceptable to extend the consultation period, to allow revision of drawings or replacement of drawings where previously an application would have been refused and re-submission required. It should be noted that such re-submissions could be done at no cost, but it is the time involved which these changes are to address. Subsequently, we are dependent on CEC notifying the Parish Council and residents promptly and properly of any extension or amendment.
"Unfortunately it is this area, of communication and timing, where CEC most often fails to meet acceptable standards. With the help of Cllr Keegan, our CEC Ward representative, I have asked Mr Peter Hooley, one of the Senior Planning Officers, to attend a Parish Council Meeting to brief us on the new guidance, how it will impact on service delivery and how the Council will meet these new challenges.
"The constant pressure to introduce more café/restaurant type establishments in the village and on London Road in particular continues. The permission granted to The Yard was of great disappointment to the Parish Council, as this introduces A3 use into a residential area. CEC has an Alfresco Policy which is designed to control activities of these businesses on the Highway and we have had success in ensuring its implementation regarding the use of decking to provide external seating. Where obstruction of the Public Highway would ensue, this Council will continue to object to such applications. It is proposed that the new Waitrose Supermarket will have internal and external seating; this is an indication that the demand for such business use remains strong and will continue to impact on London Road as a viable retail area.
"The balance between retail and restaurant was a primary policy within the Macclesfield Borough Local Plan, which was inherited by CEC and sits as a 'saved' Local Plan within the CEC Planning Policy. Other elements, such as the various conservation areas within Alderley Edge, should be controlled through reference to this saved policy.
"It has been a source of friction between the Parish Council and CEC that planning officers do not give proper consideration to the aims enshrined in these policies when considering applications. We are seeing approvals granted which ignore policy, such as A3 use in residential areas, inappropriate development within the Greenbelt and proposals which will damage the Conservation Areas.
"The granting of permission to build on a Listed Open Space on Heyes Lane is the worst case I have seen in many years and was a decision of which CEC should be ashamed. Examples of these problems have been highlighted in communications with CEC and we will continue to try to influence planners to take these matters seriously. It is of grave concern to the PC that there is no clear explanation of how the principles expressed in these saved policies, which have served planners for decades, will be incorporated within the CEC Development Framework which has to be decided on by public enquiry. At this moment there is no allowance within the framework for conservation areas.
"I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for their continued support by attending the Planning Meetings, please continue to fulfil what is an essential role as a Parish Councillor."
Comments
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My guess is that there is a huge demand for such places - I've noted that the recently opened Café Nero seems to be thriving and I can't see much to suggest that the other similar establishments are suffering.
As for the council's obsession to keep people behind closed doors - this is both anti social and given the Big Brother ban on smoking indoors, unreasonable.
We must face facts: the whimsical nostalgic desire for village shops is not a viable one and the few dissenters must put up.
Incidentally - I was surprised not to see more moaning about Café Nero blocking the passage of the elderly and the legions of wheelchair bound individuals from negotiating the appalling degenerates enjoying the opportunity to eat and drink outdoors.
Cllr Williamson.
I am stunned by your latest statement this is very rich coming from one of the people who wants to turn an allotment site into a car park double standards of the highest order . disgusting hypocrisy
Some people would call this a U turn, I'd like to think it was progress and welcome it.