A PLANNING inspector will decide if 26 new homes will be built in Goostrey after the developer appealed against the borough council's decision to reject the plans.
The estate of S H Darlington, of Chelford Road, Somerford, submitted a proposal to build 26 homes on the 22sqm plot of land to the east of Hermitage Lane and south of the Nether Lea estate in the village in 2014.
The site, part of the Peasant Farm estate, was refused planning application in the 1970s but in 1977 the neighbouring Nether Lea was site was granted permission following an appeal.
In November 2014, Cheshire East Council refused the plans for the 26 homes on the grounds of the council had a 'five-year housing supply', the proposed site is open countryside and there are no grounds to extend the village settlement boundary and the impact on the operations of Jodrell Bank Observatory.
However last month the developer appealed the decision, which will mean a planning inspector deciding the fate of the application. The hearing is expected to take place in November or December this year.
In its appeal document, town planners Sedgwick Associates, said it was appealing the decision due to the council now not being able to show a 'five year' land supply following the decision to delay the council's local plan.
It also said the decision to overturn a development in Twemlow - closer to Jodrell Bank - showed that this application should be given the green light.
"To summarise, it will be demonstrated that the council cannot demonstrate the required supply of deliverable housing land and the impact on the open countryside is limited and in any event is outweighed by the shortage of housing land," it adds.
"In allowing the Twemlow appeal, the Inspector imposed two conditions relating to Jodrell Bank. One secured additional measures to screen the buildings against radio frequency emissions and the other withdrew permitted development rights. These conditions can be imposed should this appeal be allowed.
"It will be concluded in evidence (at the appeal) that the proposals will result in economic, social and environmental benefits which are not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by any adverse impacts.
"The presumption in favour of sustainable development should therefore be applied and planning permission should be forthcoming."
The deadline for residents to make representations is August 28.
To do so click here
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