Plans to build nine rural homes are thrown out by councillors

PLANS to build up to nine houses in a village have been refused.

Members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning committee unanimously voted to reject the development on land next to Marsh Villa, Macclesfield Road, Rushton Spencer.

In a report to councillors, planning officer Arne Swithenbank said: “The embankment of the historic former feeder canal linking the River Dane to Rudyard Reservoir and dating from 1809 lies along the easterly border of the land.

“A public footpath runs along the top of the embankment with generally open views across the application land.

“The total number of dwellings proposed is nine. The more northerly of the site areas of the application extends to 0.74 acres. The smaller more southerly measures 0.05 acres.

“The northerly parcel does not fit with the policy for development in a smaller village because it is not limited infill residential development of an appropriate scale and character and it does not relate well – or indeed at all – to the existing pattern of development of the village. and thereby would disrupt and be harmful to the character and appearance.

“The southerly parcel would create or extend ribbon development, also contrary to policy, and in doing so would erode one of Rushton’s strong characteristics along the road which is of the rural countryside backdrop penetrating through the village to the road edge.”

Rushton Parish Council objected on the grounds of dangerous highway connections; style not in keeping; harmful to local landscape and setting; nine houses far exceeds the total requirement for new houses in the village, and flood risk.

Planning committee member, Ben Emery, said: “There are many issues including environmental, heritage, listed building and canal feeder problems.

“There have been objections from residents and the parish council.”

Councillor Peter Wilkinson added: “During the period of the Local Plan, the housing requirement is four to six houses. These houses should be for local people, not speculative developers.

“This is marsh land and there are flooding issues and it is outside the development area.”

Councillor Mike Gledhill said: “The main issues are drainage and ribbon development, which is not for Rushton Spencer.”