... but decision is delayed on smaller plan

CHESHIRE East has deferred an application for a 42-home development in Lyme Green - amid concerns one of the houses could have an electricity substation in the back garden.

Morris Homes and the trustees of the Lyme Green Settlement applied for full planning permission for the development on land west of London Road and south of Gaw End Lane.

Ward councillor Andrew Gregory (Ind), speaking as a visiting councillor, told the strategic planning board on Wednesday they were being asked to approve another 42 homes when they’d just approved an application from a different developer for 306 homes next to it.

“Macclesfield already has sufficient housing without the need to develop this greenfield site. It may well be in the local plan but it’s a greenfield site,” said Cllr Gregory.

Jonathan Ainley, agent for the applicant, said: “The applicant is seeking to bring forward 42 new homes on this allocated housing site with 13 of those affordable, therefore fully policy compliant.”

He said all proceeds from the sale of the site to Morris Homes would be reinvested to support the work of the Lyme Green Settlement charity.

But Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) said he had too many concerns about the scheme - which seemed to place a property where there was an existing electricity substation.

“I would describe this as a quart in a pint pot,” he said.

“There is no children’s play area, despite the fact this scheme is for 38 family homes - if we assume no children in the one bedroomed. Why should the previous applicants provide a play space so these people can get an extra few houses on their site?

“Secondly, as far as I can see, the application site does not concur with the plans we’ve got in front of us and, if I’ve got this correct, at least one of the units is where currently there is an electricity substation.

“The substation is not being moved, so that can’t be correct.”

He said there were no market housing units less than three bedrooms.

“So I have a real problem with this,” said the Knutsford councillor.

“I think there are too many houses or, if we’re going to have 42 houses, we need to review the mix. I think we need to certainly have a play area within the site.”

He suggested the application be deferred for all these issues to be addressed.

Cllr Steve Edgar (Haslington, Con) said he had written down all his concerns, and seconded the proposal to defer the application.

“I’ve got needs a play area, too densely packed, hasn’t got the mix of properties, it’s not pepper-potted enough,” said Cllr Edgar.

“I can’t see how I can decide on an application that’s got an electricity substation in the back garden of a house.

“It’s half in the garden and half in the car parking area.”

Ten councillors voted for the application to be deferred, with one voting against.