By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is “slowly reducing” the backlog of planning applications despite still struggling to retain and recruit skilled staff.
A report to the council’s environment and communities committee says the number of live applications in the backlog has reduced over the 12 month period from 2,654 to 1,959, at the end of March 2023.
Thousands of families across Cheshire East have received their preferred primary school place, education bosses say.
Cheshire East Council received almost 4,000 applications for places in its 120 primary schools to start in September 2023.
More than 90% of parent and carers in Cheshire East have received their first secondary school preference choice, the council says.
Around 5,200 applications were received, an increase from just over 5,000 in 2022, from parents whose children will be moving up to secondary school in September 2023.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has drawn up a 78-point action plan to modernise its planning service following a backlog in applications and increase in complaints.
A resident survey revealed only 20% of customers are happy with the service.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Councillors and neighbours have objected to plans for treehouse-style lodge holiday scheme at Faddiley near Nantwich.
Cheshire East planning officers have recommended approval for the application for four new holiday lodges and the conversion of an existing building to a lodge at Sevenoaks, Hearns Lane, despite objections from neighbours.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A Cheshire East councillor has sought reassurance that Cheshire East Council is not anti-fracking and would keep an open mind if applications came forward in light of the current energy crisis.
Cllr Sarah Pochin (Bunbury, Ind) was speaking during a debate on the council’s draft minerals and waste plan at the environment and communities committee.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The planning backlog at Cheshire East Council is double what it usually is and most applications are taking four to six months to determine, according to a council report.
The last two planning meetings – northern planning scheduled for June 8 and strategic planning which should have been held on June 15 – were both cancelled with no official reason given.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East’s planning department is under so much pressure because of recruitment problems that some staff are off sick and one new starter left after just six weeks.
A resourcing review is already under way and new executive director of place Jayne Traverse has offered to do a full review of the system.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Complaints against Cheshire East’s planning department have risen by a third as the council battles a backlog of planning applications and staffing shortage.
Cheshire East Council is inviting applications to its Green Homes Grant scheme.
The council has been awarded Government funding in a bid to support Cheshire East residents to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes.
By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Residents with non-visible disabilities are treated the same as those with visible conditions when it comes to blue badge applications, according to Cheshire East Council.
The council has defended its record on the parking permits after a BBC investigation shows a disparity in approval ratings between those with non-visible and visible conditions.
A development agreement between Cheshire East Council and Peveril Securities Ltd marks a big step forward in Crewe’s transformation of the Royal Arcade site, council chiefs say.
Cheshire East Council has opened school applications for primary and secondary places in September 2021.
Parents are being urged to complete their applications before the deadlines of October 31 for secondary and January 15 for primary.
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