Councillors given the go-ahead for holiday lodges in open countryside near Nantwich despite one resident arguing if this site is appropriate then any rural location will be acceptable, writes Belinda Ryan.
The five lodges will be sited on land at Fletchers Pool off Bridgemere Lane at Hunsterson.
The application had been recommended for approval by Cheshire East Council planners, and planning officer Daniel Evans repeatedly reminded councillors that the council had refused a similar application for land at Faddiley and had recently lost the appeal.
But Ward Cllr Janet Clowes (Con), speaking as a visiting member, said there are significant differences between the appeal site at Faddiley and this one.
“This application must be judged on its own merits, or indeed for lack thereof,” she said.
Local resident Bob Frodsham told the committee: “This is open countryside, the character and appearance should be preserved.
“If this site is considered appropriate then any open countryside location will be acceptable.”
He too argued the appeal decision at Faddiley was being relied upon by officers but the differences between the two sites are significant.
He said at Faddiley there are existing buildings, infrastructure and services including lighting and drainage and there was already commercial activity on the site – but none of that at this site.
He added another appeal for a site at Little Budworth was dismissed by the inspector “because it was new development in open countryside, no buildings, it was car dependent, it harmed the character and appearance and it conflicted with the development plan as a whole as a whole”.
Doddington parish councillor Paul Moore said the proposal would have an adverse impact on the countryside.
“We will have an increase in noise, light and traffic movement. There isn’t any public transport, there aren’t any services within walking distance,” he said.
The applicant’s agent, Richard Lee, told the committee: “The aim is to provide a small scale facility to enable visitors to enjoy the countryside and associated activities of walking and cycling in their own right.”
But Willaston councillor Allen Gage (Con) questioned the need for the lodges at that location.
He referred to Dagfields and Bridgmere Garden Centre, highlighted in the report as places to visit from the application site, and said these were approximately the same distance from Wybunbury “so I don’t see why we should develop open countryside when you can provide the same tourist amenity through existing structures”.
Sandbach councillor Laura Crane (Lab) moved the application be approved, saying: “The appeal of these lodges, I believe, is that they’re in the open countryside. They can park up and go for long walks.”
The approval was seconded by Cllr Anna Burton (Nantwich, Lab) and the application was narrowly approved with four councillors voting in favour, three against and one abstaining.
the countryside needs to be opened up to all, these lodges will provide a good use of space and attract tourists from far away, giving a boost to the economy
People are totally ignored when they put in their points of discussion on what the local government and council want to do.
You are offered to give your opinion but what’s the point when you are overruled.
They have already made their decision.
But come the local elections and they will bend over backwards to get your votes.