Planning Permission Granted for a Class E(e) Medical and Health Service Building in Rural Cheshire

Images: Dane Architecture

We are delighted to have secured planning permission for a medical and health centre in Burland, a small rural settlement near Nantwich, Cheshire.

We were approached to provide fresh planning support, following a failed attempt to secure planning permission for this building, that had previously resulted in a withdrawn planning application and many months wasted in failed discussions with the local planning authority.

We undertook a thorough planning review of the case and the long-term aspirations for the site and found that the proposals were in the main acceptable from a planning perspective, but needed to be presented differently. A new application was submitted and subsequently approved.

The Existing Site

The existing site comprises a mixture of micro businesses that provide recreational and health services that are important for leisure, health and mental well-being. This site therefore provides spaces for a really interesting cluster of unique businesses. The existing businesses all operate within a mixture of Class B and Sui generis planning uses.

The Proposed Scheme

The proposed scheme sought a new building to alongside the existing businesses to facilitate a new health and medical micro-business that would complement the existing cluster of businesses on site. The new use would provide both physiotherapy, sports therapy, acupuncture, Pilates, and bikefits.

The Planning Issue

The first application sought permission for a new Class B1 building. However, during the first application, the local planning authority were adamant that the proposed building was not acceptable as a matter of principle because the site is located outside of a settlement boundary.

On the advice of the local planning authority, the applicant withdrew the planning application. We were then approach to provide planning guidance.

The Planning Solution

Upon review of the first application, it became clear that the proposal met planning policy, but the Council had wrongly taken a very strict approach to refuse all applications outside of a settlement boundary. However, their policies clearly supported rural economic development, such as that being proposed.

To achieve a successful planning approval, we recommended a new application that:

• Changed the description of development to reflect the new use classes and tie it closer to the use of the proposed occupant i.e. a Class E(e) Medical and Health Service Building.

• Sought an adjustment to the siting of the building and some detailing to ensure it visually read as part of the existing complex of buildings.

We then put forward a robust planning case that explained to the Council how the planning policies should be applied in practice, together with a comprehensive evidence base to justify the proposed scheme in this location.

The Council accepted the planning arguments and approved planning permission for the medical and health service building.

Contact Us

Do you have a commercial or rural development that requires planning permission? If so, please contact at mail@adpltd.co.uk or use the form below to understand how we can help you.