UNANIMOUS approval has been given to controversial plans to build a house next to a listed building in Tarporley, despite opposition from neighbouring residents.

The decision of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee yesterday (February 2) means a new detached house can be built next to 16 Northgate, Utkinton — which is an 18th century cottage.

Ward councillor Eveleigh Moore Dutton said she called in the decision to reassure residents that planning decisions were made ‘properly’ by CWAC, such was the extent of local disagreement.

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Cllr Moore Dutton said: “I called this in because it is divisive — not on a huge scale, but on a heartfelt basis.

“I really felt in those circumstances it would be best that the making of sausage, of the decision as it were, should be seen so that people understand it has been considered properly, from all angles.”

Although councillors ultimately backed the plans, much of their 45-minute discussion were surrounding concerns over the use of corrugated materials on the new house’s roof.

Carole Spencer, representing residents of the area, said: “IN 2017, planning was refused on [an application] on a field which ran along the back of the site and the inspectorate upheld it, stating that the area has a semi rural character which the site positively contributes to.

“We consider the proposed dwelling by its massing and design very dominant, [and] does not respect its setting next to a listed building nearby [with] its industrial appearance.”

However, owner and developer Cath Tinston pointed out that support for the application also came from Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council, which voted 6:2 in favour of lending it weight behind the bid at a July 2020 meeting.

She said: “For the development, pre planning advice was sought from planning authorities and we incorporated the thoughts of planners in the proposal.

“I met with the chair to discuss a number of concerns expressed and the development was subsequently altered to take on the views of the parish council.

“The building has been designed to minimise the impact on those properties that overlook the development.”

A number of conditions were attached to planning permission, including examinations of the materials used.