Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee 20th July 2026

PL26/035 PRESENT

Councillors McCulloch, Dalzell, Banks, Gardiner and Gray.

A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk).

 

PL26/036 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Coan (health) and Lowe (personal business).

 

PL26/037 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr Gardiner declared a personal interest in applications 26/2521/HOUS on the grounds of being known to a neighbour opposite; 26/2360/FUL as a committee member of Friends of the Moor; 26/2373/FUL as the agent was a former colleague; 26/2123/FUL as the property is near to his home, he has engaged with residents concerned by the application and in his CEC capacity has requested the application be called in and 26/2384/TPO having worked with the consultant used by the applicant.

 

PL26/038 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Representatives of United Utilities provided further information on application 26/2360/FUL explaining how the park would be kept open during works, with an area fenced off as a site compound. The representatives confirmed that two trees would be planted in lieu of the one birch to be removed. It was further confirmed that between 0.7-1m of sediment would be removed and that the Moor Pool would be hydrologically separated from Middle Pool during the works.

A resident spoke in relation to 26/2373/FUL noting the site notice was not displayed, that the proposals were the loss of a bungalow, constituted a greater plot ratio (20%) than the surrounding area (12%) and that the boundary treatment continued to encroach on the highway.

 

PL26/026 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2026.

Cllr Gray abstained from voting in respect of application 26/2373/FUL.

Cllr Gardiner made a statement in relation to application 26/2123/FUL and withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and vote. Cllr Gray voted against the resolution for this application.

 

PL26/027 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

It was RESOLVED submit the comments detailed below.

26/2374/HOUS	170 Grove Park	Construction of rear and front single storey extensions and alteration of first floor bedroom window to front elevation.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2338/HOUS	29 Tabley Close	Removal of existing porch and addition of new larger porch.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2449/HOUS	31 Tabley Close	Removal of existing porch and addition of new larger porch.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2343/NMA	3 Holford Crescent	Non-material amendment on approval 25/3987/HOUS: Proposed single storey wrap round side and rear extension. Front extension to side of existing dwelling. Alteration to roof above porch from lean to roof to a small pitch over door.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2243/LBC	The Round House, Legh Road	Listed Building Consent for Proposed single-storey infill extension to the existing annex, together with a side extension to the annex.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments and the  Conservation Officer being satisfised that the internal modifications are not detrimental to the character or wellbeing of the building.
26/2242/HOUS	The Round House, Legh Road	Proposed single-storey infill extension to the existing annex, together with a side extension to the annex.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2438/HOUS	5 Freshfields	Demolition of existing car port and garage, and the construction of a part single, part two storey side and rear extension with associated internal alterations.	The Town Council expresses concern over the impact of the proposals in relation to the adjoining properties and the potential to result in a loss of amenity by virtue of a loss of light. The council is also concerned that the proposal is for development to the edge of the boundary presenting a coalescence of built form creating the appearance of terraces in an area characterised for semi-detached properties.
26/2393/HOUS	12 Lee Close	Proposed two storey rear extension and extension over existing garage to the side of the dwelling	The Town Council requests the Planning Officer be satisfied that there remains sufficient off-road parking for two vehicles within the curtilage of the property, otherwise the development would fail to meet parking requirements as per policy T4 of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan.   Additionally, the council request the Planning Officer review the relationship of the proposals to neighbouring properties as there is concern over a potential loss of amenity.
26/2354/HOUS	Lovat House, 5 Lovat Drive	Proposed side extension, minor internal alterations and remodelling, replacement of the existing loose gravel driveway with bound resin surfacing, replacement of existing Indian stone paving with porcelain paving slabs, and replacement of existing uPVC rainwater goods with heritage cast aluminium rainwater goods.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to the following:   a)       The use of a permeable surfacing for the driveway – to comply with policy D4 of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan b)      The retention of the brick finish to the garden wall and the installation of non-solid gates to allow visual permeability – both in the interests of enhancing the character of the Conservation Area.
26/2373/FUL	Lane End, Legh Road	Demolition of the existing bungalow and the construction of a single dwelling with associated works to include landscaping.	The Town Council OBJECTS on the grounds that the proposals result in the loss of a bungalow contrary to the objectives of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan Policy H3 and the reasoned justification of this policy to retain the stock of bungalows within Knutsford.   Furthermore, the development constitutes overdevelopment of the site, with a proposed dwelling occupying 20% of the plot compared to an average plot density of 12% in the surrounding part of the Conservation Area, contrary to polices H2 and HE3 of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan.   Additionally, the council notes the proposals retain the existing boundary locations. The existing hedge around the site is a significant incursion onto the adopted highway which has narrowed visibility and obstructed pedestrian access. The council has raised this matter with the relevant department of Cheshire East Council and is seeking the reinstatement of the proper boundary, which should be reflected in the proposals.
26/2119/ADV	Canute Pharma Ltd, George House, 3 Royal Court, Tatton Street	Advertisement consent for new fascia and hanging signs	The Town Council raises no objections.
26/2372/PRIOR-3MA	Prima Medica, Mere House, Brook Street	Prior approval for a Conversion of office building (Class E) to create 28 residential dwellings (Class C3)	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to the Planning Officer being satisfied that the proposed sizes of dwellings meet the required minimum standards.
26/2360/FUL	Moor Pool Waterbody, North of the Moor	Removal of accumulated historic sediment in Moor Pool using mechanical excavation methods.	The Town Council supports the proposed works.
26/2240/HOUS	22 Bexton Road	Proposed single storey extension kitchen/dining & utility room. Existing dining room demolished	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2123/FUL	Caledonian House, Tatton Street	Conversion of existing former barn (now vacant) to form 4 residential properties, together with associated parking and external works.	The Town Council OBJECTS to the proposed development on the following grounds.   a)       The development constitutes overdevelopment of the site and attempts to include a greater number of dwellings than the site can accommodate as set out in (b) and (c) below b)      The proposed parking is insufficient and fails to meet the requirements of Policy T4 for dwellings of this size. Parking is at a premium within the town centre and the likely additional parking requirement will be exacerbate this issue. c)       The development provides insufficient outdoor amenity space for dwellings with this number of bedrooms, which are likely to be occupied by families. d)      The rear windows are proposed to be obscured, however a number of windows will be required to be opening to comply with building regulations, and as such would result in a loss of privacy to the properties at George Street which are in close proximity to the rear of the property.
26/1872/HOUS	35 Springwood Avenue	Double Storey Side Extension. Previously accepted – Re application	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2521/HOUS	139 Ashworth Park	Proposed two storey front, side and rear extension, single storey rear extension and external alterations including render, timber cladding and metal cladding	The Town Council raises no objections, but requests that consideration is given to the proposed materials and whether they are appropriate for the area.
26/2482/EIA	Land At Over Tabley	EIA Screening Opinion Request for proposed construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm	Whilst the Town Council has concerns about the development proposed, the council raises no comment on this application and leaves it to the Planning Officer to determine whether an EIA is required in accordance with the relevant regulations.

 

PL26/028 TREE APPLICATIONS

It was RESOLVED submit the comments detailed below.

26/2384/TPO	8 Rockford Lodge	Horse chestnut tree ‘G1/1’ – Fell to ground level in favour of two adjacent, higher quality oak trees, and to prevent a more significant risk developing. See attached risk assessment report (CW/11908-R-26) for details.	The Town Council raises no objections, subject to a condition requiring the replating of a suitably sized broad leafed replacement tree.
26/2352/TCA	Unitarian Chapel, Adams Hill	T1. Common Lime Fell to ground T2. Turkey Oak Crown Reduce 1.5m, crown thin 10%	The Town Council raises no objections, but requests a replacement tree is planted.
26/1777/TPO	Oaklands, 35A Bexton Road	Lime tree Carry out a crown reduction of approximately 1.5 m to both the height and lateral spread, ensuring the tree retains its natural shape and form. All pruning cuts will be made to suitable secondary growth points in accordance with BS3998:2010 – Tree Work Recommendations.	The Town Council raises no objections
26/1776/TPO	Oaklands, 35A Bexton Road	Crown reduction to beech tree of approximately 1.5 metres to both height and lateral spread, retaining the tree’s natural shape and form. All pruning cuts will be made to suitable secondary growth points in accordance with BS3998:2010 Tree Work – Recommendations.	The Town Council raises no objections

 

PL26/029 PLANNING DECISIONS

The latest planning decisions were noted.

 

PL26/034 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on Monday 7^th September at 6pm.