Proposals designed to protect Jodrell Bank from the potential harm of future planning development are expected to go out for consultation imminently.

Members of the environment and communities committee will be asked on Thursday to give the go-ahead for a four-week public consultation on the draft Jodrell Bank Observatory supplementary planning document.

Planning policy already ensures 'that the efficacy of the telescopes, historic environment and visual landscape setting of the telescopes is not harmed'.

It also requires applications to consider their impact on the World Heritage Site and highlights that conditions may require specialised construction techniques in this area.

A report due to go before Thursday's meeting states: "This SPD (supplementary planning document) provides guidance to applicants on how the council expects these requirements to be achieved, and the relevant planning matters that will be considered when determining proposals."

Jodrell Bank is both a scientific leader in its field and an important asset to the visitor economy in Cheshire East.

The draft SPD, which has been jointly prepared by the council's strategic planning team, environmental team and Manchester University, aims to give greater clarity to developers, landowners, communities and decision makers on the issues of landscape, heritage and design across the World Heritage Site.

The environment and communities committee meeting takes place at 2pm on Thursday, November 11 at the council's HQ at Westfields in Sandbach.

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