Emery planning has secured planning permission from Cheshire West and Chester Council for the demolition of an existing indoor riding arena, stables and static caravan and the construction of one detached dwelling on Racecourse Lane, Cotebrook, Tarporley.

The site is located within the open countryside as identified in the adopted local plan. The site forms part of a group of existing dwellings along Racecourse Lane and Tarporley Road. The council were of the view the site did not fall within the definition of ‘previously developed land’ having regard to their definition in the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan Part 2. They were also of the view that it was an unsustainable location for new residential development. The council eventually accepted it was previously developed land and given there is an existing static caravan on the site, residential use of the site had already been established. Furthermore, the proposal would result in reductions in both footprint and volume of built development on the site and there would be no harm to the character and appearance of the countryside as a result of the proposed development. The development was therefore considered to comply with local plan policy and was granted planning permission.