Mosaic’s Cheshire housing appeal upheld

Mosaic Town Planning has won an appeal for the development of 13 affordable homes in the Cheshire East village of Twemlow Green following a public inquiry.

Planning had previously been rejected by the council on the grounds of an alleged significant adverse impact upon the efficient operation of the Jodrell Bank Observatory telescopes, due to potential interference from electrical devices of future occupants.

The proposal site is approximately 2.7km from the Lovell Telescope.

After Dr. Roberto Trotta and Daniel Whitney, on behalf of Plus Dane Group, gave evidence at the inquiry the inspector concluded that the proposal would not have an unacceptable effect on the operation of the telescopes.

It was also argued by the inspector that the effect would be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits that would result from the development.

The inspector also found that a need for at least 14 affordable units in Twemlow Green had been established; while the council has not been able demonstrate an up-to-date five-year supply of housing across the borough.

Daniel Whitney, senior planning consultant at Mosaic Town Planning, said: "This decision outlines the importance of council's being able to produce substantive evidence in justifying their reasons for refusal and developers should bear this in mind when deciding whether to appeal a refusal.

"In this case, the council could not show that the impact upon the telescopes would be unacceptable."

The appellant was represented by Giles Cannock of Kings Chambers. The development will be built by MCI Developments and managed by Plus Dane Group.