Cheshire East has deferred an application for two homes in Sandbach because the committee was discussing the proposal before the public consultation period had ended.

The application, for the properties on garden land to the side and rear of 6 Manor Road, had originally been for four homes,

But Wednesday morning the southern planning committee was discussing the proposal before that deadline for public comments had expired.

Planning officer Gareth Taylerson told the meeting: "We've given 14 days for neighbours to comment on those revised plans.

"Given that it's a reduction, I personally think that the 14 days is an acceptable amount of time.

"The issue being that the consultation expires at 12pm today, so in 14 minutes or so."

He added: "So nobody's disadvantaged, the proposal is to approve and that it be deferred back to officers, should any late comments come in, just to consider those."

Cllr Sam Corcoran. (Photo: Cheshire East)

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But ward councillor Sam Corcoran (Lab), who had called-in the application and was speaking as a visiting member, asked for it to be deferred.

"I was notified on March 19 about this [two dwelling] application, and some of the residents were notified by post, so some of them only got the notification a week ago," said Cllr Corcoran.

He continued: "So what to do today? Unless you think that it is acceptable to discuss your planning application before the consultation is closed and for residents to only have certainly less than a fortnight to comment, I would suggest that this is deferred today.

"That will actually, I hope, end up with the same practical answer as Mr Taylerson has suggested, because if we can achieve an agreement, then I would happily withdraw my call-in."

Cllr John Wray (Con) proposed the application be deferred saying: "I think I rather favour Cllr Corcoran's suggestion to defer it to allow a little bit more consultation with the residents."

This was seconded by Nantwich councillor Anna Burton (Lab) and five councillors voted in favour, two against and two abstained.