Cheshire East Council has granted permission “in principle” for two separate small developments in Bunbury, writes Belinda Ryan.
But councillors have raised concerns that both sites could be for large houses ‘which are not needed’.
The first application is for up to two homes on land off Sadlers Wells (pictured).
The second is for up to three homes on land to the west of the A49, Whitchurch Road.
Both applications were submitted by the Peckforton Estate, whose agent told the southern planning committee yesterday (Wednesday): “With the need for new homes being pushed by central government, landowners will naturally have a role to play in the delivery of new homes.
“In response, the estate has identified opportunity to deliver a small number of new dwellings on parcels of land in and around Bunbury village, which traditionally have not been promoted for development.”
Bunbury Parish Council opposed both applications on various grounds including highways and parking concerns for Sadlers Wells.
On the Whitchurch Road proposal, parish councillor Richard Slater said: “The council just views that it’s imperative to draw a line and stop development out into the open countryside west of Whitchurch Road.
“We perceive that if it’s permitted, this could be open house to develop anything between Bunbury and Peckforton.”
Both applications were for ‘permission in principle’ (PIP) – a two-stage mechanism for obtaining planning approval for housing development.
The first stage was to establish whether the site is suitable in principle.
Councillors were limited to considering only the location, land use and amount of development.
All other matters are to be considered at the later, technical details stage.
Regarding the Sadlers Wells application, Cllr Anna Burton (Nantwich, Lab) said two houses “doesn’t seem to be the best use of that land”.
Committee chair Joy Bratherton (Crewe, Lab) said: “I’m looking at that parcel of land and thinking, for me, benefits of housing on this sort of scale, don’t help those who are looking for cheap housing, affordable housing.
“The benefit here is for something that’s going to be larger and more substantial and I don’t know whether Bunbury needs any more like that, to be perfectly honest.”
Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) said: “I completely understand everyone’s concerns, but the fact is we don’t have a five-year housing land supply.
“If we refuse this, I suspect it would just be overturned on appeal.”
The committee raised similar concerns about the potential for three large houses on the site west of Whitchurch Road.
Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con) said: “It’s very similar. The difference is it’s three houses.
“But that’s not really what we’re here about today.
“In terms of location, land use and amount of development, under the new guidelines we don’t really have a lot of choice, but I think there’s an awful lot to be said when it comes to the second stage.”
Each application was considered separately by the committee.
Councillors voted unanimously to grant permission in principle for the Sadlers Wells proposal and the vote was seven in favour of the Whitchurch Road scheme, one against and one councillor abstained.
The sites must receive a grant of technical details consent before any development can proceed and that is the next stage.
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