Appeal over Cheshire homes rejected on astronomical grounds

Beluga Group is seeking to overturn Cheshire West and Chester Council‘s decision to reject plans for a residential scheme at a disused farm on the strength of objections from Jodrell Bank, which claimed it would impact its ability to study space.

A decision notice handed down last year stated that Beluga’s plans for 12 custom-built homes at Crown Lane in Lower Peover would “impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, which is an internationally important scientific facility”.

It was argued during the planning process that electrical equipment installed within the residential development would interfere with the Jodrell Bank telescope’s ability to receive radio emissions from space.

The efficiency of the Jodrell Bank telescope, located around four miles from Beluga’s site as the crow flies, is protected in Cheshire West and Chester’s local plan.

The local plan states that “development that would not impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope will be supported” in the zone around the facility.

Plans for the Beluga site’s redevelopment into housing have been rejected four times in total. First in 2015, then in 2021, 2023, and most recently in 2024.

The developer behind the 2014 refusal appealed to the Planning Inspectorate but the council’s decision was upheld.

At that time, the proximity of the site to Jodrell Bank was not cited as a reason for refusal.

A date for Beluga’s appeal has not yet been set.