Glossop site saved from development again

Members of High Peak Borough Council rejected Gladman’s resubmission for 150 homes at a development control committee meeting on Monday in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

The original application was refused by the council in September. In November, Congleton-based Gladman submitted for appeal. A decision is awaited from the Planning Inspectorate.

Members heard the authority had received 43 letters of objection on grounds including the fact greenfield sites should not be built on when there are brownfield sites available, it’s too far from the town centre and the roads would not be able to cope with the extra traffic.

The council also received objections from Friends of the Peak District, who said the proposal amounted to “unwarranted encroachment into the countryside”.

As reported, the previous application was refused for three reasons, the flood risk assessment submitted did not comply with requirements, the proposal failed to secure any provision for affordable housing and it would result in a net loss of biodiversity.

This time, the application would include 30 per cent affordable housing and the applicant has carried out the necessary flood risk assessment.

But, planning officers considered that the proposal would still result in an unacceptable loss of significant areas of the semi-natural grassland biodiversity resource and the most valuable grassland would be reduced by about 50 per cent.

Therefore, it was recommended that planning permission be refused.

Resident Elizabeth Strek said the site was unsustainable due to its elevation, as the nearest shop, the Co-operative Food, on Norfolk Street, was three quarters of a mile away and involves climb of 200-feet on the way back.

Cllr John Faulkner objected, saying: “It’s very similar to the previous application.” All 11 councillors voted to refuse the application.