Royal London has been granted permission to use land at their Alderley Road site as a temporary car park for a further three years.
The company were previously granted temporary planning permission in 1997 to use Green Belt land within a field to the north west of the developed site for staff parking.
Permission to retain the temporary car park for a further two years was granted in 1998 and renewed in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2009.
However, the permission expired in May 2010 and the company has continued to use the car park since.
In July they applied for permission to use the car park for a further seven years, to cater for 104 vehicles, until Royal London's targets for reducing the demand for car parking spaces is fully operational.
Wilmslow Town Council recommend the planning application for refusal, stating: "The Planning Committee object strongly to this application and recommend that Cheshire East Council do not allow a 7-year extension to the temporary car park.
"Furthermore, the Planning Committee were concerned that the situation should be resolved as a matter of urgency. The Planning Committee recognise the importance of Royal London as a major employer in Wilmslow and would be happy to enter into discussions with the company regarding a way forward."
Wilmslow Trust also objected to the application on the grounds that the original permission had lapsed, Royal London has not adhered to conditions, continuing to use the car park without permission, and the impact on the Green Belt.
The plans were approved by the Northern Planning Committee on Wednesday 28th November.
Whilst the temporary car park was considered inappropriate development in the Green Belt, the Council concluded that special circumstances exist that outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.
The Council acknowledged that the economic benefits to the Borough through the provision of employment on site are significant and are considered to amount to very special circumstances. They also considered the continued economic well being of Royal Londonto be integral to the community and economy of Wilmslow.
However, the seven year period of temporary consent that was applied for was considered to be too long and consent was granted for a temporary period of three years.
Royal London also submitted a retrospective planning application for temporary flood lights to illuminate the temporary car park. Again, the Council considered that very special circumstances exist that outweigh the harm caused to the Green Belt so temporary consent for the lighting was granted for a three year period with the condition that the lights cannot be used between 10pm and 6am on any day.
The planning applications can be viewed of the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 12/2631M and 12/4016M.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Myself and a number of other residents attended the Northern Planning Committee meeting on the 28th November at Macclesfield town hall.
It was pleasing to see the councillors give the applicants agent a very hard time with lots of very difficult questions. However, I was surprised how the majority of the committee endorsed this application after hearing the answers to the question. My opinion would be all bark and no bite expect for the one councillor who voted against.