Gladman appeal bombshell

Gladman is to go direct to appeal over its plan to build 120 homes on open fields at Little Heath in Audlem.

The move effectively by-passes Cheshire East Council who will no longer be able to determine the controversial planning application

Audlem Parish Council was given the shock news in a letter received yesterday from Kevin Waters, Planning and Development manager for Gladman Developments Ltd.

Mr Waters' letter says: "I thought it courteous to write to inform the Parish Council that Gladman have today submitted an appeal on the grounds that the matter has not been determined within the statutory timeframe."

"According to planning regulations, the submission of the appeal means the Council is no longer able to determine this application."

The Gladman proposals will now go straight to an independent Planning Inspector who will decide whether or not to approve the application.

Under planning rules, Cheshire East had 13 weeks to reach a decision on the proposals which, according to Cheshire East's own website were first registered with them on May 24th this year – exactly 13 weeks ago.

Cheshire East first set a decision target date for August 23rd but that was put back to September 11th for the plans to be before its Strategic Planning Board.

Audlem Parish councillors were confused yesterday when they learnt that the date had been shifted yet again to October 9th and were about to contact Cheshire East to find out what was happening when the shock news broke.

Parish Council chairman Phillip Johnson reassured objectors that their submissions to Cheshire East would not be lost.

Mr Waters, for Gladman, also gave a reassurance they would pass on all documentation to the Planning Inspector including any comments received by Gladman from Audlem residents before they submitted their plans.

Mr Waters added: "I recognise that in these circumstances, objectors are often concerned that the Inspector hearing the appeal may not be aware of their original representations."

"As the appellant, we were required to submit a complete copy of the Application documents with the appeal."

"These documents included our Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) which included appendices containing all comments received by Gladman prior to the submission of the application."

Cheshire East is also required by law to hand over copies of all representation made to them during the planning process.

Gladman Ltd has also submitted a fresh duplicate application for the same site. This is a technical move to ensure that the site remains before Cheshire East council and is normal practice when an appeal has been lodged for non-determination.

A full copy of the Gladman letter to Audlem Parish Council can be read by clicking here.

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