Industrial unit plan for quarry is rejected
ABID to redevelop a former quarry to create a miniindustrial estate and 21 new jobs has been refused.
Stephen Bell, from AM Bell Properties, had wanted to place 21 light industrial units at Hawkshead Quarry, in Sutton.
But Cheshire East Council refused his planning application on the grounds the development was ‘unsustainable’, in a countryside location and would have a negative impact on the environment.
The proposals had the backing of Sutton Parish Council, who said it would ‘support the rural economy’.
It was argued that the site was already used by businesses – and had been since the 1960s – with current occupants included an HGV MOT testing centre and Cheshire Cheese and
Wine Emporium.
Councillor Andrew Gregory spoke at the meeting and said: “With respect to the area it is a piece of scruffy land.
”The applicant has worked very hard in putting in a mitigation scheme to enhance the area so I am struggling to understand how this development would create harm for the local environment.”
It was said companies including Associated Steel Products, Harvey Bell Pension Investment and Britannia Security Maintenance had expressed an interest in locating to the proposed units.
The quarry is split into two areas, the lower section where 13 units were proposed, and the upper part which would have had eight.
The meeting heard that residents in the area did not want to see the site ‘fall into disrepair’ as much of the HGV MOT work moved out to more convenient sites nearer motorways.
And that the split-level nature of the site, off Leek Old Road, would obscure much of what was there.
A report by planning officers acknowledged the creation of an estimated 21 jobs should be given some weight.
But it also sated that the site was in the countryside rather than an area designated for employment and had poor access by any means other than car.
And that there would be loss of grassland and woodland as well as ‘significant harm’ to Gawsworth Common, Whitemoor Hill and Ratcliffe Wood Local Wildlife Site.
Gawsworth Parish Council made no objection to the application but requested a traffic assessment was carried out.
Some hope was given to the applicant though when the meeting was told development in just the lower level would ‘probably’ not raise an objection.
Mr Bell was invited to return with new plans that would ‘alleviate concerns’.
A planning officer said: “We are not unsympathetic to this application but, the way it has been submitted, we don’t feel we have any other option than to recommend it for refusal.”
Members voted to refuse the application by 18 votes to two.