A developer's third attempt to add up to 25 dwellings to a 190-home estate in Holmes Chapel has failed because councillors heard the scheme could adversely impact Jodrell Bank.

Cheshire East's strategic planning board had previously refused applications from Bloor Homes in August 2021 and again in November 2022 to build the extra dwellings on the Bluebell Green site off London Road.

Yesterday (Wednesday) councillors again went against the recommendation of their planning officers and refused the scheme.

Ward councillor Andrew Kolker (Con), speaking as a visiting member, told the meeting: "The local plan states … within the Jodrell Bank consultation zone, that development will not be permitted if it impairs the efficiency of the telescope.

"The problem is that any development anywhere in the consultation zone will inevitably have some detrimental effect upon the efficiency of the telescope."

He continued: "A few miles south of this application site at Arclid, a recent application for 12 houses was refused by Cheshire East.

"It then went to appeal, and the planning inspector dismissed that appeal because of the detrimental effect it would have upon the telescope."

Bluebell Road, Holmes Chapel when construction work was under way during an earlier phase of the scheme (Google)

Cllr Kolker said last week an inspector dismissed an appeal for two houses in Holmes Chapel because of the detrimental effect on Jodrell Bank.

"So, I don't understand where the officers are coming from with this application for 25 houses in Holmes Chapel when they say that it will have a negligent effect upon the workings of Jodrell Bank."

Dr Ken Morris, a member of the Jodrell Bank UNESCO World Heritage Steering Committee, told councillors the proposed houses 'would significantly impair the operation of the telescopes'.

When asked by committee chair Brian Puddicombe (Macclesfield, Lab) if the proposed screening would help, Dr Morris replied: "It is of some help. It would be fine if people never went out of their doors, never opened their windows, never used a mobile phone or a lawnmower."

John Coxon, agent for the developer, said the scheme would deliver new housing including 40 per cent affordable.

He said in terms of Jodrell Bank: "The policy is not a moratorium [on development].

"It requires a balanced judgment."

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) moved the application be refused, saying: "I'm afraid that the presentations that we've received today, particularly from Dr Morris, worry me.

"If we approve this, what are we doing to the world class facility that there is at Jodrell Bank? What harm are we doing?"

Cllr Martin Edwards (Crewe, Lab) said he was in favour of the application.

"We do have to build new houses and affordable houses as well," he said.

"We can't just have a seclusion zone around the facilities at Jodrell Bank because of where it is."

Eight councillors voted in favour of refusing the application because of the impact on Jodrell Bank and two voted against refusal.