Buerton homes set for green light

Plans to build nine new homes on the edge of Buerton look set to get the green light.

Planning officials will recommend approval for the scheme when it goes before Cheshire East planning committee.

This application by Markden Homes proposes the construction of nine homes in open countryside at Red Acres, Buerton.

Four homes would be for rent and five would be shared ownership units. All would have access down a driveway from Windmill Lane.

Buerton Parish Council claimed residents had no objection in principle but planners received 11 formal protests from nearby residents plus a 22-name petition.

But planning officials say the need for affordable housing overrides fears that the site is in open countryside and on the edge of the village.

A report to councillors says: "The National Planning Policy Framework identifies that we should be responsive to local circumstances and plan housing development to reflect local needs, particularly affordable housing, including through rural exception sites where appropriate."

A Rural Housing Needs Survey for Buerton was carried out in November 2012 and identified a total of 11 residents who wish to form a new household in Buerton in the future.

The report admits that the level of service in Buerton is nil but, although the site cannot be considered 'sustainable' this is outweighed by the need for affordable home in the area.

The report concludes: "Whilst recognising that the application site does not fall within a sustainable location, evidence has been provided that there is a clear need for affordable housing locally. The proposal would provide nine affordable dwellings which would act to provide an adequate level of affordable housing within the Buerton area.

Planners recommend that the committee approves the plans with a request for a £ 2,000 contribution to used to implement barn owl conservation work in the borough.

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