Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee 29th June 2026

PL26/022 PRESENT

Councillors McCulloch, Banks, Coan, Dalzell, Gray, Hartley, and Lowe.

B Allen (Deputy Town Clerk).

 

PL26/023 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr Gardiner (personal business).

 

PL26/024 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllrs Hartley and Lowe declared a personal interest in the Tabley Solar proposal on the grounds of living nearby to the potential development area.

 

PL26/025 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The planning consultant and the architect for application 26/2113/FUL spoke about the proposal and connected application for the barns to the rear of the site, stating the proposal covers the vacant office building which is owned by Bruntwood and being purchased by a developer. The change of use was given consent through the prior approval application and the application includes mainly elevation changes but does include removing the old boiler house, the floor plans are to include a passenger lift ensuring it serves all three floors, the building was over-clad in the 2000’s and this proposal seeks to retain existing windows and apertures but will be re-clad in brick slips with herringbone detailing, there is an included terrace for two of the apartments, and the site includes a public right of way through it. The planning consultant highlighted the barn was disused and would be subject to a separate planning application but would retain the existing footprint and create four townhouses each with a parking and garden space.

A member of the public spoke regarding the Tabley Solar proposals stating the site consists of around 150 acres of grade 2 agricultural land which forms a gateway which is visible from the motorway, that Swains Walk will be retained but raised concerns about the entrance exit point of the perfectly good bridleway, the connection point for the grid would be a considerable distance from the site and would cause significant disruption, and that a substation is proposed but raised concerns over the low-level noise impact, and how the proposal would impact views of the landscape.

 

PL26/026 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th June 2026.

 

PL26/027 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

It was RESOLVED submit the comments detailed below.

26/2183/VOC	Land Off Northwich Road	Variation of condition 2 on approval 19/1392M: Reserved Matters in relation to scale, appearance, landscape and layout for the erection of 190 dwellings including allotments, community orchard, playing pitch, landscaping, open space, car and cycle parking, drainage and associated works pursuant to outline application 17/3853M. Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Documents List Rev S) to amend the approved ‘Hard Landscaping Plan’. The proposed revision seeks approval for material changes to the footpath finishes within the site boundary.	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2175/HOUS	Holly Lodge, 29 Bexton Road	Single-Storey Rear Extension and External Wall Removal to Create Off Street Parking.	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2113/FUL	CALEDONIAN HOUSE Tatton Street	Removal of existing cladding and applying new brick slips to the facade, demolition of redundant plant room to rear, construction of new low energy, machine room-less passenger lift, removal of existing entrance lobby and installation of new entrance doorset and canopy and creation of two private roof terraces	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2078/HOUS	54 Heron Close, Knutsford	Ground floor side extension. Garage conversion into study. Replacement of conservatory roof with insulated roof kit.	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments and that Network Rail are satisfied.
26/2095/VOC	Memorial House, Northwich Road	Variation of Condition 19 on approval 18/0089M for erection of Retirement Living Housing (Category II type accommodation) with associated communal facilities, landscaping and car parking together with a Memorial Garden following demolition of the existing buildings	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2074/HOUS	6 Lee Close	Dormer extension as part of loft conversion. New canopy to front elevation	The council OBJECTS to the proposal on the grounds the overlooking from the Juliet balcony and dormer extension will detrimentally impact the amenity of neighbouring properties and support the objections from St Peters Avenue
26/1862/FUL	31 Churchfields, Knutsford	Construction of a 3 bedroom detached house in the side garden of 31 Churchfields	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.

 

PL26/028 TREE APPLICATIONS

It was RESOLVED submit the comments detailed below.

26/2247/TPO	KIRKBECK, 7 Leycester Road	Works to Protected Trees: 1 x Mature Beech: Request to crown reduce by 1.5m and crown lift over property up to 5m to maintain a healthy shape	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2244/TCA	GRANGE COACH HOUSE Parkfield Road	Section 211 notice: Proposed tree work in conservation area. 1 Cypress and 2 Yew (too close to building and should have been felled years ago. No appropriate mitigation pruning available) – Fell.	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2228/TCA	Carpark Emmeline Northwich Road	Section 211 notice: T1 Sycamore – This tree is in obvious decline and is increasingly becoming a serious risk of harm for the residents of No.2 Racefield Road as well as the regular users of the residential carpark adjacent. Recent resurfacing work and relaying of the curb-stones closer to the tree have potentially accelerated decline by damaging the roots. – Proposal is complete removal leaving stump as close as possible to existing ground level and treated with EcoPlugs to prevent regenerative growth.	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/2158/TPO	35 Goughs Lane	Works to Protected Trees: Work to various trees	The council raises no objections, subject to the Tree Officer being satisfied with the scope and methodology of the proposed works.
26/1976/TCA	HEATH COTTAGE Gaskell Avenue	Section 211 notice: X1 Mature Cherry Tree – A reduction of approximately 1.5-2.5 meters of all overhanging lateral branches. Cherry tree to be pruned back to next available growth point, ensuring correct pruning techniques and maintaining shape and structure inline with the trees crown.	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.
26/1895/TCA	UNITARIAN CHAPEL Adams Hill,	Section 211 notice: T1 is a mature Yew. It is located adjacent to a footpath which runs from the adjacent hall to the chapel. There are approximately 6 low minor branches which overhang the footpath requiring removal to provide better clearance above head height for people using the path	The council raises no objections, subject to neighbour comments.

 

PL26/029 PLANNING DECISIONS

The latest planning decisions were noted.

 

PL26/030 PLANNING APPEALS

It was RESOLVED to make no further comments for the appeal for 25/0712/VOC – 4 St Peters Avenue, Variation of Condition 2 on 22/2661M – Construction of a dwelling and associated works.

 

PL26/031 TABLEY HILL SOLAR FARM

It was RESOLVED to submit a strong objection on the grounds of loss of high-quality farmland with grade 2 agricultural land within the Green Belt would be detrimental to the food productivity of the borough and there are more suitable sites within the borough.

 

PL26/032 PLANNING ENFORCEMENT

The log was noted, it was highlighted the items for Café Nero and Brae Cottage had their planning application determinations.

 

PL26/033 OUTSTANDING MATTERS

The log was noted and it was RESOLVED to add the highway encroachment at Lane End to Cheshire East Council Ward Member action requests.

 

PL26/034 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on Monday 20^th July at 6pm.