Objections not seen by councillors

PLANNING chiefs have deferred a decision on proposals for a new house at Culcheth after hearing that letters of objections had not been placed before councillors.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee have already visited the site of the proposed house at the rear of Hob Hey Lane.
The scheme also involves demolition of existing outbuildings used as an art studio and officers recommended it for approval.
But a report to the committee indicated that only one letter of objection had been received – and members heard that seven had in fact been sent.
Members decided to defer a decision until more information was made available.
The project involves demolition of existing garages which have been converted for use as an art studio and construction of a one and-a-half storey house on the site.
Outline permission for the scheme was granted in January 2004 but building never went ahead and an application to renew the consent when it expired was refused because of an over-supply of housing land across the borough. Late an appeal was dismissed.
But the committee was told the site has become a target for burglars and vandals and officers are recommending the plan be approved to remove the crime problem.
Objections are understood to relate to a loss of privacy.
Vehicle access to the site would be from Radcliffe Avenue.