A narrow vote sees plans for homes rejected
COUNCILLORS have blocked plans to build two homes on Coppice Road in Higher Poynton by the smallest of margins.
Last Wednesday’s Cheshire East northern planning committee meeting needed chair Councillor Craig Browne’s casting vote to separate opinion on the plans.
One group of councillors felt that rejecting the proposals would only mean the council would lose on appeal – but another section of the board argued that it should only consider what was in front of them.
“I do not think what an inspector may or may not do should influence our decision today,” Coun Brian Puddicombe argued.
He was responding to Coun Tony Dean, who said: “I feel sorry for the officers as we have humans overturning planning policy on the hoof because of this court ruling.
“I do not see any point at all in going with anything other than the recommendation of approval as we have a situation where individuals can make planning policy on the hoof in a court room.”
Coun Dean was referring to a section of a council report which outlined the fact that courts have ruled ‘that while a village boundary, as defined in a local plan would be a relevant consideration, it would not necessarily be determinative’.
In essence, it means that the village boundaries are not final and they can only be used as a guide by inspectors when ruling on whether a development encroaches on green belt land.
The crux of the decision at the meeting was if the scheme would constitute ‘infill development’ – permitted by
Cheshire East planning policy within the village boundary – or new housing in the green belt.
Ultimately, councillors narrowly voted to view the village boundary as final.
Five councillors voted in favour of refusal, including the casting vote of chair Coun Craig Browne, five voted against, and one abstained.