Cheshire needs Mill Lane houses claim consultants

The failure of Cheshire East Council to demonstrate that is has a five-year housing land supply should be enough to pave the way for approval of plans for 36 homes to be built at Mill Lane claim the applicants.

A Design Statement issued on behalf of Hockenhull Properties Ltd by consultants Goodwin Planning Services emphasise that the national policy of presumption in favour of sustainable development should be seen as the "golden thread running through both plan making and decision taking".

Hockenhull Properties want outline consent to build up 36 homes on open fields off the Mill Lane bridleway with new road access at a new junction off Heathfield Road

Consultants argue that the scheme meets all planning policies imposed by Cheshire East except those that restrict housing in the open countryside.

But it claims that the Council's countryside policies are now out of date because it "cannot demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable housing sites".

Without an up-to-date local planning policy the application should be assessed against national planning policies which are supportive of the development as proposed, says the report to councillors.

The consultants point out that the Council's own latest planning policy document (Shaping our Future) confirms Audlem as a sustainable location for residential development.

They argue that Cheshire East has already identified the site as contributing towards housing land supply in years to come and that, in the context of the shortage of five-year supply, the site should be brought forward to meet the immediate need for additional housing.

Consultants conclude that the site already adjoins an existing and acknowledged sustainable settlement and "must therefore be considered acceptable."

You can comment on the Mill Lane housing plans before September 4th. You can view the plans and add your comments on planning application 13/3210N here.

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