Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of any interests.

Resolved - That subject to the following inclusion:

Apologies were received from Councillor Alistair Morwood and Danny Gee,

the minutes of the meeting 11 February 2025 of the Planning Committee be approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning and Enforcement has submitted seven planning applications to be determined (enclosed).

Plans to be considered will be displayed at the meeting or may be viewed in advance by following the links to the current planning applications on our website. 

The Head of Planning and Enforcement has submitted seven planning applications to be determined.

Planning permission refused.

Public speakers: Ian Phillips (Objector), Councillor Roy Lees (Ward Councillor), Councillor Julia Berry (County Councillor), and Alistair Skelton (Agent)

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alex Hilton, seconded by Councillor Katie Wilkie and subsequently resolved (unanimously) that planning permission be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development would have a significant detrimental impact upon the appearance of the site and character of the surrounding area, through the removal of an established landscape buffer and its associated features. The proposal is therefore contrary to the provisions of policy BNE1 of the adopted Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026.

Outline planning permission granted, subject to conditions and a S106 agreement.

Public speakers: Miroslava Gaskell (Objector), Councillor Julia Berry (County Councillor), and Stuart Binks (Agent)

An amendment for a site visit was proposed by Councillor Alan Whittaker and seconded by Councillor Arjun Singh, but this was lost (3:9:1).

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Chris Snow, seconded by Councillor Alistair Morwood and subsequently resolved (10:3:0) that outline planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a S106 agreement to secure a financial contribution of up to £51,030 towards public open space and up to 7 affordable dwellings.

Planning permission granted, subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement.

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alex Hilton, seconded by Councillor Michelle Beach and subsequently resolved (unanimously) that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement to secure a financial contribution of £12,000 towards Lancashire County Council’s involvement in a Travel Plan and monitoring of the approved biodiversity net gain measures at the site for 30 years.

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Permission in principle refused.

Public speakers: Peter Fletcher (Objector), Councillor Alan Platt (Ward Councillor) and Chris Betteridge (Agent)

An amendment for a site visit was proposed by Councillor Alan Whittaker and seconded by Councillor Katie Wilkie, but this was lost (5:6:2).

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Craige Southern, seconded by Councillor Alex Hilton and subsequently resolved (11:1:1) that permission in principle be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development would be located within the Green Belt as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026. The proposed development is not considered to meet with any of the exceptions to inappropriate development set out at paragraph 154 and would not meet with the terms of paragraph 155 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and therefore harmful by definition. It is not considered that there are very special circumstances to overcome the definitional harm to the Green Belt. The proposal is therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Permission in principle refused.

Public speaker: James Stannard (Agent)

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Craige Southern, seconded by Councillor Alistair Morwood and subsequently resolved (12:0:1) that permission in principle be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development would be located within the Green Belt as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026. The proposed development is not considered to meet with any of the exceptions to inappropriate development set out at paragraph 154 and would not meet with the terms of paragraph 155 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and therefore harmful by definition. It is not considered that there are very special circumstances to overcome the definitional harm to the Green Belt. The proposal is therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Permission in principle refused.

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Michelle Beach, seconded by Councillor Neville Whitham and subsequently resolved (unanimously) that permission in principle be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development would be located within the Green Belt as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026. The proposed development is not considered to represent limited infilling in a village and would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and therefore harmful by definition. It is not considered that there are very special circumstances to overcome the definitional harm to the Green Belt and additional harm caused through encroachment. The proposal is therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and policy HS7 of the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026.

Report noted.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Members of the Committee thanked Adele Hayes, Head of Planning and Enforcement for all of her hard work at Chorley Council ahead of her retirement. Members shared individual remarks and wished Adele all the best for the future and a happy retirement.