The site is located in a village in Cheshire. Our client’s site was previously used as a nursery, however upon closure of the business, the main body of the nursery site to the south of the site was developed whilst the subject site remains vacant and derelict, visually detracting from the area.

An appraisal demonstrated that the site is situated in the Greenbelt and excluded from the settlement boundary, however is considered to form part of the built-up form of the village. A recent Inspector’s decision notice relating to the site indicates that the site could be capable of some form of residential unit subject to design.

The team at MEP consider that there is an opportunity for a proposed dwelling to be submitted under paragraph 134 of the NPPF which encourages new developments where they are of an outstanding or innovative design.