Cheshire planning applications: Aston and its surrounding areas

Whitchurch Road, Aston. Pic: Google Street View

Submitted by David Norbury

The following planning application decisions have recently been announced:

Aston

A planning application involving the future of a village cricket club was considered in Aston, Cheshire. Applicant Hannah Wild, Hollins Homes, lodged the plans on land at The Woodlands, Whitchurch Road.

Cheshire East Council was told full planning permission was being sought for the erection of a cricket net along the boundary of The Woodlands housing development and Aston Cricket Club.

The net would run between the cricket club and the housing development. Plans for the erection of 33 dwellings were allowed at appeal in 2015.

Main issues were said to include amenity, design, protected trees, outdoor recreation and the effect on the open countryside.

Newhall Parish Council agreed to support the application but said the protected trees should be closely examined and taken into account by the planning officer. There were no other representations.

The report pointed out that the Newhall Parish Neighbourhood Plan explicitly stated that appropriate improvements to safety and facilities at the cricket club, including safety netting at the ground's boundaries or enhancements to club facilities, would be supported.

It was said housing developments adjoining the cricket ground were threatening the viability of the club.

The risk of a cricket ball being hit out of the ground and into newly built properties would create safety and insurance concerns, which the club believed would make the ground unusable.

Planners said that with this in mind, the principle of the proposal was acceptable subject to other considerations.

A 70m length of cricket net between 10m and 15m in height with supporting posts at 10m intervals would be erected outside the boundary fencing to the housing development.

Discussions with a representative from the cricket club indicated the boundary in question was the most vulnerable to stray balls during cricket play.

It was accepted the proposed development may have some negative impacts on the protected trees, but the future viability of the club could be in jeopardy without the proposed nets.

There were existing high nets to three boundaries to protect the properties from cricket balls. Hedgerow planting would be in excess of a length to be lost.

Approval was recommended, and Cheshire East Council agreed permission could be granted.

Hankelow

No representations were made by parish councillors or by neighbours when plans were put forward for an extension to a cottage style dwelling in Hankelow, Cheshire.

The application was made by Mr and Mrs P. Turner at Brock Cottage, Longhill Lane.

Mr and Mrs Turner told planning officers at Cheshire East Council they were seeking a single-storey rear extension at the modern, cottage style dwelling set within a generous 'L' shaped residential curtilage located within the open countryside.

Main issues were said to include the design, which would include a roof lantern and the effect on residential amenity. Hankelow Parish Council had no comment, and there were no other representations.

The dwelling had seen extensive work carried out over the last decade, according to a report.

Planners believed, however, that considering it had been extended and altered, the proposed single-storey extension would not encroach onto the open countryside.

It would not have a detrimental impact in terms of design sufficient to warrant or justify a refusal and would serve as a garden room to the rear of the dwelling. Matching materials would be used.

The design was appropriate and was considered to be acceptable. Parking and access arrangements would remain unchanged.

Recommending approval, planners found the proposal to be of an acceptable design that would have a minimal impact upon the amenities of surrounding residential properties.

Cheshire East Council agreed Mr and Mrs Turner should be granted permission.

Baddington

A single storey-side extension was submitted at a converted barn in Baddington, Cheshire. The application was made by Mr and Mrs Rooney at 3 May Barn, Poplars Farm Barns, French Lane.

The single-storey residential property, forming part of a range of converted barns, has a red brick finish with a slate roof, according to a report.

To the rear, there is a detached double garage with a vehicular access looping around the rear gardens of number 3, 4 and 5 Poplars Farm Barns, all located within the open countryside.

The application proposed the construction of a single-storey extension to the side of the property along with the alteration of a window at the rear to a full length window.

The extension would provide a hallway and porch and would use matching materials. Sound and District Parish Council supported the application, and there were no other representations.

Planners pointed out that within the open countryside, exceptions may be made, one being for extensions to existing dwellings where the new build was not disproportionate to the original property.

The extension and alterations to the home were considered to be acceptable in principle subject to aspects including the impact on design, amenity and highway safety.

The side extension and the alteration to the window would be seen as sympathetic and subservient and would not cause harm to the rural character and appearance of the dwelling or the wider locality.

Given the single-storey nature of the extension, and the relationship with neighbouring properties, there would be no significant adverse impact on neighbouring amenity.

The alteration to the window would not result in harm to the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers. There was no indication there would be any alteration of the existing parking arrangement.

Recommending approval, planners concluded the proposed extension and alterations to the property were acceptable. Cheshire East Council granted Mr and Mrs Rooney permission.

Crewe

Objections were made to the prospect of two new homes in Crewe, Cheshire. Applicant Mr Brazendale told planning officers at Cheshire East Council he was seeking full permission for the new build to the side of 97 Alton Street.

The site is at the end of the built up frontage adjacent to and owned by number 97, according to a report. A detached garage had previously occupied the land but had been demolished.

Main issues were said to include the impact on adjoining residential amenities, the acceptability of the design, and the impact on highway safety and parking.

Crewe Town Council objected, and there were three other objections, with a further representation making a general observation.

Questions raised included whether the units would be used as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), the impact on privacy and amenity, and the design being out of context with the area.

The development included the provision of two dwellings, which was considered to be an appropriate mix in that area of Crewe, the report stated.

The area was predominantly residential in character, and the principle of development in the location was acceptable subject to complying with other policies.

It was not considered the proposal would have any significant adverse impact on the residential amenity at number 97 or on an adjacent recreation ground. The proposed design of the scheme was acceptable.

No new access was proposed from Alton Street that reflected a previous application on the site, which had been approved.

Recommending approval, planners found the proposed development would be of an acceptable design that would not have a detrimental impact upon neighbouring amenity or highway safety.

Cheshire East Council agreed permission could be granted subject to conditions.

Wybunbury

A Cheshire East borough councillor objected when plans were lodged at a property in Wybunbury, Cheshire.

But planning officers at Cheshire East Council said applicants Mr and Mrs P. Stockton had submitted significantly reduced proposals at Hillcroft, 56 Main Road.

They involved the demolition of an existing double garage, the construction of a new garage, and the demolition of an existing conservatory to be replaced with a single-storey extension.

The detached dwelling house, located off Main Road, is situated back off the road within the open countryside outside of the village boundary, according to a report.

It is also within the Wybunbury Conservation Area and the Wybunbury Moss site of special scientific interest.

There were no views from Wybunbury Parish Council, but borough councillor Janet Clowes objected to the original application arguing, among other aspects, the property had originally replaced a much smaller dwelling and was within the conservation area and the site of special scientific interest.

She believed the proposed extensions and a triple garage were significant and substantial and would be visible from public vantage points around Wybunbury Moss.

Planners explained the detached dwelling was within a large curtilage and appeared to have been extended substantially over the years.

Mr and Mrs Stockton had revised the proposal significantly and the extension would not increase the size of the property. The replacement garage would only be slightly larger and would remain incidental to the dwelling house.

The extension remained single-storey and was of a design and size which was in keeping with the character of the dwelling and the conservation area.

The proposed three-bay garage, with two parking spaces and a store and storage space above, would replace a flat-roof double-garage in the same location and would be in keeping with the character of the area.

There were no issues in terms of amenity. Cllr Clowes's concerns about the original application had been noted, but the development had been significantly reduced in size.

Recommending approval, planners felt the proposal was acceptable in principle and was of a design and character that was in keeping with the original dwelling house.

It was acceptable in terms of neighbouring amenity and highway safety. Cheshire East Council agreed Mr and Mrs Stockton could have permission subject to conditions.

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