Councillors have unanimously approved plans for a zoo – but no-one knows if it can go-ahead because council officers unhappy with the decision want to refer it to another planning committee.

Planning officers had already, in March of last year, turned down a previous application from Zoo2U to relocate its zoo from Alsager to land at The Orchards Farm (Bidlea Dairy) on Twemlow Lane at Holmes Chapel.

When the applicant submitted this latest proposal for the same site, officers again recommended refusal on the grounds it would result in encroachment into the open countryside through development of open land and it would remove the existing open character and appearance of the site from the surrounding area.

This time the proposal was considered by the southern planning committee and members today (Wednesday) disagreed with the officers' recommendation.

Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) said: "To be brutally honest, I can't think of a better place to put a zoo like this.

"It's next to a roadside business that attracts families and children who come to enjoy an afternoon playing on equipment and eating ice cream. I think it's an absolutely ideal place."

He added: "I think that it can be camouflaged and hidden and made to look more sympathetic over another couple of years with the establishment of the trees and hedges and landscaping."

Cllr Kolker proposed the committee go against the officers' recommendation and approve the application.

This was seconded by Sandbach councillor Mike Muldoon (Con).

Cllr Laura Crane (Sandbach, Lab) agreed with her fellow councillors, saying her only concern was about parking and so a booking system must be in place.

Cllr Laura Crane. (Photo: Cheshire East)

Planning officer Daniel Evans then shocked the committee by saying, if they voted to approve the application, it would be viewed as a departure from policy and would have to be referred up to the strategic planning board (SPB).

Councillors were clearly unhappy.

Committee chair Joy Bratherton (Crewe, Lab) said: "That takes the power away from us as a committee then."

She added: "I don't see, from having visiting the site, there is anything untoward about these buildings going up in a rural area with the planting plan that is going in place.

"It is the officer's interpretation and we, as the elected members, are saying we don't agree with your interpretation of it.

"To say that now has to go up to the strategic planning board takes away my power as a planning committee member to make a decision on something which is in our remit today."

Cllr Kolker said while planning officers argued the balance was in favour of harm to the open countryside, 'I suggest that the balance is actually the other way and the economic benefits of the site outweigh the harm in the open countryside.

He added: "It isn't a departure [from policy] because you say yourself it is in compliance."

The council's solicitor said it was a 'significant departure from policy'.

The constitution says anything which is a significant departure must be referred to the SPB.

Cllr Bratherton replied: "The most significant word there for me is 'significant'."

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application.

Now the applicants have to wait to see if the proposal is referred to the SPB, as the committee chair and vice-chair are still in discussion with officers over this.

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