Cheshire East delight at Pickles homes veto

CHESHIRE East Council is celebrating another significant planning appeal victory after a proposal to build 189 new homes in Cheshire was rejected by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles.

Pickles has blocked the development land adjacent to Stapleley and Nantwich.
 
This follows victory in the High Court over 170 homes in Willaston, and successful appeal decisions concerning 300 homes in Wistaston and 880 homes in Shavington.
 
The  Secretary of state expressed concern that the proposals from Muller Property Group – for land between Audlem Road, Broad Lane and Peter de Stapleigh Way – would involve the loss of countryside and the best and most versatile agricultural land.
 
There should be no assumption that development of this nature should proceed on a piecemeal basis, he added.
 
Overall, the Secretary of State concluded that the scheme “fails to represent sustainable development in terms of being the most effective way of improving the economic, social and environmental conditions of the wider area”.
 
Cll Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This once again vindicates our approach to the promotion of sustainable development and reinforces the fact that there is no planning ‘free for all’ whilst we finalise our planning frameworks.
 
“It shows that we are continuing to fight for the interests of Cheshire East’s residents – and winning some hard-earned victories.
 
“People can be assured that we will make every effort to prevent inappropriate development, to preserve our precious heritage and get the right development in the right location.”
 
“The message to developers is clear – put an end to sporadic housing in the countryside and work with us through our Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans to provide the sustainable development that our communities want and need.”
 
Cllr Don Stockton, cabinet member in charge of housing and jobs said: “I welcome this latest appeal decision, which demonstrates that Cheshire countryside can be protected from inappropriate development.”