A controversial proposal which could see homes built on a village field in Wybunbury near Nantwich has been deferred so councillors can visit the site to see what impact it would have, writes Belinda Ryan.
Martin and Simon Poole have applied for permission in principle (PIP) to build up to six homes on land off Bridge Street, Wybunbury.
The first stage of PIP being considered by the Cheshire East southern planning committee this week was just to establish whether the site is suitable in principle.
The council’s planning officers had recommended approval, despite acknowledging it would ‘change the rural character of the site’ and the proposal conflicts with the local plan.
Ward councillor Janet Clowes (Con), speaking as a visiting member, said there was no need for the housing and “this is just a cynical attempt to develop, develop, develop”.
She said it would impact the “iconic vista”.
Cllr Clowes added: “You can see the whole of the conservation spread out below.
“You can see the wildlife corridor of the Wybunbury Brook.
“You can see across to the hinterland of the Wybunbury Moss, which is an SSI Ramsar site, and, of course, the hill on which the Wybunbury Leaning Tower is placed.”
Wybunbury resident Jo Mannion told the committee: “The site lies outside the settlement boundary.
“There are no exceptional circumstances that would warrant consent.
“This will be a significantly catastrophic development for people in Wybunbury.”
Cllr Marilyn Houston (Crewe, Lab) said: “I would put much more weight on the principle that we should preserve the heritage and the character of rural villages such as Wybunbury, especially where we’ve heard in so much detail the importance of the surrounding countryside and the particular features of the local environment.
“And I’m very, very strongly opposed to us giving permission to this.”
Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) proposed the application be refused on the grounds the site is not suitable for development due to its detrimental impact on the setting character.
But Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) argued: “We don’t know, at the moment, what the setting of this particular piece of land is with regards to the vista and to the listed buildings.
“We’ve had it described by the speakers, but that has been disagreed with by the officers.
“And so, before I would be willing to vote to refuse based on vistas, I’d like to see the vistas on which we’re basically planning to refuse.”
Cllr Kolker proposed the application be deferred for a site visit and this was seconded by Brereton councillor John Wray (Con).
The vote for deferral was tied at five for and five against.
It was carried on the casting vote of the chair.
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