PL21/001 PRESENT

Councillors McCulloch, Dalzell, Gardiner, Houghton, Morris, and Robertson

In attendance: B Allen (Planning and Facilities Officer)

 

PL21/002 ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN

It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllr McCulloch as Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee.

 

PL21/003 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Gray (civic business) and Lowe (business).

 

PL21/004 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr Gardiner declared a personal interest in application 21/2936M on the grounds of having attended the opening of the premises in the capacity of Town Mayor, 21/3668M on the grounds of knowing the occupier of the building, 21/4262M on the grounds of having spoken with a resident regarding the factual matters of the development and the planning process, 21/4453M on the grounds of attending a meeting regarding the application.

 

PL21/005 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Representatives of the South Knutsford Residents Group and the Knutsford Residents of Over Ward Group spoke in relation to application 21/4262M stating the proposal conflicts with Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan policies D1 and D2 noting the proposal presents a higher build form and far bulkier than most in the Legh Road area. The proposal substantially changes the end of Legh Road and the characteristic housing density of the Legh Road Conservation Area. The loss of two bungalows along with the replacements do not meet the assessed housing needs of Knutsford. The application does not fully detail the full impact of the development and is therefore contrary to the NPPF, HE3 of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan, and Legh Road Conservation Area Appraisal as it causes substantial harm to the Legh Road Conservation Area without mitigation such as clear public benefit, not to mention the possible impact on highway safety with the proposed entrance to plot 2 and 3 narrowly opening on to Goughs Lane.

The representative of the South Knutsford Residents Group went on to speak about applications, 21/4026D stating the specific information within the application for street lighting notes ‘full cut-off’ lighting in order to conform with reducing light pollution, and 21/0331M stating that the council’s planning decisions should highlight this particular application as amber instead of red due to the applicants being asked to modify their proposal.

A resident spoke in relation to applications, 21/4318M stating the proposal presents a huge amount of fencing being removed along with the inclusion of large gates, presenting a large intrusive barrier and a change from the traditional boundary treatments outlined in the Legh Road Conservation Area appraisal; and 21/4406M stating the proposal is doubles the depth, enlarging the garage and presenting an intrusive southern elevation which looks unusual and is unacceptable when considering the listed status of the building as all elevations should be considered and not just that of the street scene.

 

PL21/006 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES[1]

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes.

 

PL21/007 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

It was RESOLVED to submit the comments detailed below.

 

PL21/008 TREE WORKS APPLICATIONS

It was RESOLVED to submit the comments detailed below.

 

PL21/009 PLANNING DECISIONS

The latest planning decisions were noted. It was noted to write to Cheshire East Planning department to invite a senior planning officer to a meeting to discuss some of the recent planning decisions.

 

PL21/010 COMMENTS SUBMITTED OUT OF MEETING

The comments were noted.

 

PL21/011 RATIFICATION OF DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY[2]

It was RESOLVED to ratify decisions taken by the Town Clerk during the suspension of formal meetings pursuant to the resolution of Council 21/011.

 

PL21/012 CONSERVATION AREA WORKING GROUP

It was RESOLVED to appoint the 2021/22 members of the working group as Cllrs Dalzell, McCulloch, Morris, and Nicholson.

 

PL21/013 PLANNING ISSUES LOG

The log was noted.

 

PL21/014 ACTIONS LOG

The log was noted.

 

PL21/015 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was noted as 27th September 2021 at 6pm.

[1] Cllrs Gardiner and Morris abstained from voting on this resolution.

[2] Cllr Gardiner abstained from voting on this resolution.