Jodrell Bank Observatory

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Jodrell oppose Glamping Site

JBO has opposed the current proposal that includes 10 ‘glamping’ pods, noting “that the impact from the additional potential contribution to the existing level of interference coming from that direction will be moderate to severe”  …..”the pods themselves are likely to offer less shielding than conventional building materials and this site is very close to the telescope”.

Goostrey Parish Council have also objected to the scheme due to conflict with N’hood Plan policies and the lack of footpaths/pavements from the site along the narrow lanes to the village.  Highways have pointed to the lack of car parking spaces on illustrations.

link to application:  18/5000m   Comments by 14th November.

The application, for Mr Barber of Cheshire Country Holidays on Bridge Lane, includes the construction of 10 glamping pods – on wheels covered by decking- a permanent reception/office, store, shop and shower block with parking spaces for 15 vehicles.

Glamping location relative to JBO & village
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Housing at The Grange refused

Outline planning has been refused for 8 houses on the site of The Grange stables and menage off Station Road.  Goostrey PC voted to object and Jodrell Bank Observatory had strongly opposed the proposal.

Link to application: 18/4079C

The reasons for refusal are as follows:

  1. The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development would introduce a suburban, residential development (by virtue of the scale massing layout of the proposed dwellings) in this rural area which would not preserve or enhance the character of the locality. It is considered that a residential scheme in this location would not be acceptable in terms of its landscape and visual impact and would lead to an unacceptable form of development within the Open Countryside
  2. The proposed development would impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope which is an internationally important scientific facility.

The planning officer made the following observations:

“In any event it is not considered that the fundamental principle of the replacement of the existing buildings with two storey dwellings (as proposed) would preserve or enhance the character of the area and that the proposed development would have a significant negative impact on the Open Countryside and area. The existing equine use is considered to be appropriate to the character of the area and it is considered that the form/layout of the proposed residential development would assist to erode the landscape character of the area”

“Given the local character of the area, the impact on the landscape and the impact on Jodrell Bank it is not considered that the redevelopment of the application site to a residential use represents sustainable development as detailed within this report.”  Link to full officer’s report.

Grange site refused for 8 houses

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JBO opposes Hermitage Lane and Mt Pleasant plans

Jodrell Bank Observatory has objected to two current applications in Goostrey, ‘noting that the cumulative impact of this and other developments is more significant than each development individually’.

12 homes proposed by Crabtree Homes Ltd on open countryside to the east of Hermitage Lane, with access off Nether Lea.  Decision expected 3rd Jan.  Link to application:  18/4980C

Mount Pleasant Residential Park (Tingdene Parks Ltd) applied for the demolition of 60 & 60a Main Road and the garage blocks to redevelop the site with 9 new park homes.    Decision expected 30th Nov. Link to CEC planning page:  18/4510C 

JBO

The Lovell radio telescope

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New plans for land off Nether Lea/Hermitage Lane

Yet again – a developer is attempting planning permission for several homes in the village.

12 homes are being proposed by Crabtree Homes Ltd for land to the east of Hermitage Lane, with access off Nether Lea. (see layout below)

Link to application:  18/4980C

Jodrell Bank Observatory were opposed to a previous application for 26 homes at this location (Ashalls submitted a different proposal in 2014 – 14/1964C ; refused and then withdrawn before appeal) however the new developer has included a ‘bund’ to the east in the hope that it might help block interference – higher than the houses??).

I have no idea how effective that would be and details of its height are not included – JBO are yet to comment – but …would diffraction be an issue anyway?

“The development will create 12 new dwellings with associated public open space , which provides a choice of housing to meet the needs of the area, whilst respecting and enhancing the site’s environmental assets. This will be achieved through the provision of 9 market houses and 3 affordable homes . Housing will be set within a robust green infrastructure, which will include existing mature trees and hedgerows. It will also include a permanent earth bund to the east side of the site which will help to block any interference to Jodrell Bank. The development will provide a mixture of market and affordable homes enhancing the land which has previously been used for agriculture and is currently empty .” Design & Access, Crabtree Homes.

12 homes proposed behind Nether Lea 18/4980C
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Subterranean house refused near JBO to appeal

There is to be an appeal against the Jan2018 refusal for a subterranean house near Jodrell Bank Observatory in the garden of Coachman’s Cottage.  PLANNING INSPECTORATE REFERENCE: APP/R0660/W/18/3206533

Both JBO and Goostrey PC had objected. Two reasons were given for the refusal:  firstly it would be in ‘Open Countryside’ and secondly, even though partially subterranean, would impair the efficiency of JBO.  Cheshire East’s Local Plan policies and Goostrey’s Neighbourhood Plan policies were quoted.   Link to the Officer’s Report:

“The application is located in the open countryside where development is subject to stricter control and the policy focus is on preserving the openness, character and appearance of the countryside.  The application seeks permission for a new subterranean dwelling in the garden of Coachman’s Cottage. Policy PG 6 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy 2017 (CELP) defines open countryside as the area outside of any settlement with a defined settlement boundary.  Within the Open Countryside only development that is essential for the purposes of agriculture, forestry, outdoor recreation, public infrastructure, essential works undertaken by public service authorities or statutory undertakers, or for other uses appropriate to a rural area will be permitted.  The policy allow several exceptions for new dwellings including where there is an opportunity for limited infilling, re-use of existing buildings and replacement buildings. Infilling is allowed in villages and ‘the infill of a small gap with one or two dwellings in an otherwise built up frontage elsewhere’.  The CELP defines infilling as ‘the development of a relatively small gap between existing buildings’.  The site could not reasonably be described as an infill plot, it does not have a built up frontage and is not located between two or more existing buildings but rather is adjacent to woodland and agricultural fields.  The proposal would not re-use an existing building and is not a replacement building.  As such it does not comply with any of the exceptions which allow new buildings.  New buildings are not permitted within the open countryside and therefore the principle of the development is not acceptable.“

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More ‘park’ homes applied for on Mount Pleasant

Goostrey’s Mount Pleasant Residential Park (Tingdene Parks Ltd) has applied for the demolition of 60 & 60a Main Road and the garage blocks to redevelop the site with 9 new park homes.    Link to CEC planning page:  18/4510C   (last date for comments 17th October)

Although they could be seen as in line with general Neighbourhood Plan policies they would be in a general area where the Jodrell Bank Observatory has found dwellings unacceptable in the past (south of Mount Pleasant park as well as behind Fairway to the north):  GNP Policy SC2 ‘Developments will not be permitted which can be shown to impair the efficient operation of the radio telescopes.’

Unsurprisingly the Planning Statement states that “it is not anticipated that its impact will be significant. It is unlikely to amount to material harm.”  but JBO has yet to comment.

Goostrey Parish Council has objected however as it would conflict with Neighbourhood Plan policies.

 

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Interference at the Grange

There’s just about a week left to comment on the proposal for 8 houses on the site of The Grange Livery’s stables and menage off Station Road.  Click the link to CEC planning portal: 18/4079C.   The last date for submitting comments is Weds 12th Sept.  

Most pertinently, if CEC approve the application it would open up other areas of Open Countryside around the village to developers, but the protection of Jodrell Bank has “global significance” and should therefore be the main consideration for Cheshire East.

If JBO object, which is most likely given the sites proximity to JBO, the proposal will be in breach of several policies: CEC’s SE14 and Goostrey’s SC2 [re JBO] as well as being in Open Countryside VDLC2, and not inside or immediately next to the village boundary HOU1.

Six homes were refused recently at 51 Main Rd, where the effect of the proposed development on the operation of the Jodrell Bank Observatory was one of the main issues;  Six houses on the Livery site would cause more impairment as it is nearer to JBO – so these 8 proposed homes would therefore cause even greater interference.

The report on potential interference is lacking detail in what ‘power-tools’ were in use on the day of testing in June, or indeed how many.  The electromagnetic Field Measurement Report does mention grass-cutting – but, as you can see from the pictures below, there would be more grass (8 lawns) to cut and strim etc if 8 houses were to replace a menage, hard-standing and stables.  They could produce more interference/impairment than if 10 or 30 horses were at livery, contrary to the findings of the report…as would all the modern paraphernalia for 8 families, with all sorts of household electronic devices operating on a daily basis from computers and satellite tv to lighting and house alarms.

It would be a sad loss to lose such a resource on the outskirts of the village as livery places are, I’m told, in short supply in the area. Could there also be a loss of jobs for those that help with the livery when required and teach on the menage. Click the link to comment on CEC planning portal: 18/4079C.   The last date for submitting comments is Weds 12th Sept.  

Back in 2015 the then science minister, Greg Clark, said: “Cheshire East council must ensure that, in line with protections set out in the national planning policy framework, any new housing developments do not adversely impact on the important scientific mission of Jodrell Bank.”