Cheshire East planners have recommended councillors grant permission in principle for two homes in the open countryside at Bunbury.

The Peckforton Estate wants to build the properties on land off Sadlers Wells, with ten residents objecting.

Their concerns include the impact on the rural setting, the effect on Sadlers Wells Wood and claims the access is not viable for construction traffic.

The application has been referred to next week's meeting of the southern planning committee because it conflicts with local plan policies but has been recommended for approval by the council's planning officers.

Cllr Becky Posnett, Bunbury, Conservative (Photo: CEC).

It has also been 'called in' to the committee by ward councillor Becky Posnett (non grouped) for several reasons, including the resulting loss of agricultural land and a loss of privacy for properties next door.

The planning officer's report to next week's meeting says: "The proposed development would result in residential development located beyond the Bunbury settlement boundary.

"The proposal is considered to be sustainably located, but despite this the proposal conflicts with the development plan as a whole."

Cheshire East no longer has a five-year supply of housing land, which weighs in favour of the development.

The report continues: "The NPPF (national planning policy framework) seeks to boost significantly the supply of housing, and the development of two houses would make a small contribution to meeting the council's housing need."

It says there would also be economic benefits through the construction and occupation of the proposed development.

The application is for 'permission in principle' (PIP) – a two-stage mechanism for obtaining planning approval for housing development.

The first stage, being applied for now, is to establish whether the site is suitable in principle.

The southern planning committee meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday 3 December at Delamere House in Crewe (Photo: Ryan Parker).

If PIP is granted, the site must receive a grant of technical details consent before development can proceed.

The officer recommended permission in principle be approved saying: "The adverse impacts of the proposal would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies within the NPPF.

"The proposed development would benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development which weighs heavily in support of the proposed development."

The southern planning committee meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday 3 December at Delamere House in Crewe.

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