The planning application (DC/065826) for the Albert School Building on Church Lane in Marple has been granted planning permission for development of 20 two bed apartments and 360sq meter retail space.
The application had to be passed onto the Planning & Highways Committee to make the decision. Our local councillors asked them to make a site visit (which they did) and recommended refusal of the application (more details below 10 November 2018). The Planning & Highways Committee were divided in their opinion but, when voted on, planning permission was granted.
Whenever a planning application is refused the applicant has a right of appeal. There is no such right of appeal for a 3rd party. Therefore the civic society strongly takes the view that where councillors must (rather than choose to) refer an application 'above', they should do so with their recommendation and reasons. As local councillors, they have local interest and knowledge of our area - they know what is important locally and are aware of local opinion. The Planning & Highways Committee don't.
Although this application was refused, it would seem that our councillors' recommendation may have had an effect on the decision makers because the decision had to go to a vote.
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