Both Audlem plans refused by council

The two Audlem planning applications for Little Heath and Mill Lane were refused by Cheshire East's Strategic Planning Board this morning to the delight of village representatives and supporters, seen here immediately after the decisions.

Each application was discussed for an hour with Audlem Parish Council, the Medical Practice, Village Design team, Mill Lane residents and a resident speaking against the applications and taking questions from Cheshire East councillors.

The Gladman application was considered by the Board despite it already going to appeal because of non-determination within the allowed 13-weeks. Councillors described the plan for up to 120 dwellings at Little Heath as "preposterous" and "outrageous" and turned it down unanimously with all twelve on the board voting for refusal.

The Mill Lane development saw Frank Hockenhull speaking in favour of the application without success as it was turned down by ten councillors with two abstaining.

The lack of additional medical facilities at the Audlem Practice proved a key issue in both applications, particularly the fact that residents moving into such large development could not be accommodated locally, and the Practice would have to close its lists to new patients.

Even though the lack of medical capacity was not originally a recommended reason for refusal in either plan, councillors insisted on this being added to the grounds for refusal.

The Gladman application at Little Heath is already going to appeal and the Mill Lane plan is likely to although a similar application was turned down in 2003 by the Planning Inspector appointed then. Several references were made to this earlier refusal and the fact the situation had not changed in past decade.

More tomorrow with details of the debates and submissions and grounds for refusal at this morning's meeting.

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