Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 7.45pm at Little Leigh Village Hall.
Present: Councillors Dawson, Davenport, Brierley-Jones, Christopher and Hough
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors Morrell & Underdown and Councillors Gibbon & Marshall
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No Declarations of Interest were made.
3. Report from CWaC
- The Marbury Update had been circulated.
4. To confirm the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21st January 2026
MATTERS ARISING
- My Parish Council – Move to .gov.uk domain – This was discussed but more details were needed before making a final decision.
- New property on Lodge Lane – Enforcement were still involved with this but the Council were not sure of the current situation.
- CWaC – Planning Meeting – 3 councillors had attended but had not found the meeting very fruitful and also found some of the discussions very contradictory. The large backlog of planning applications was still a concerning issue.
5. Financial Review
- Current Bank Statement: £ 6427.32
- Room Hire Payment: £15.00 – Agreed
- Tangled Web Solutions: £ 340.00 – This payment was held due to the possible change of Website & Domain names. The Clerk would contact Tangled Web regarding this.
- HMRC – £ 509.80 – Agreed
- Clerks Salary/Expenses: £ 2148.18 (Provisional)
This was discussed and it was agreed to increase the payment for Energy/Broadband from £50 to £100 making the final total £ 2198.18 – Agreed
6. CORRESPONDENCE
- CWaC: Information had been sent regarding equipment that could be supplied if any Council or other organisations were planning a litter pick
7. Planning Appeals
There are no current Planning Appeals in the village.
8. Planning Applications:
Removal of sections of hawthorn hedgerow and silver birch (approximately 15 metres) to improve site access
Land Along Side Northwich Road Dutton Northwich
Ref. No: 26/00459/HED Status: Pending
First floor front extension, single and two storey front and side extension, relocation of principal entrance and erection of front storm porch.
Dale Farm Northwich Road Dutton Northwich WA4 4LE
Ref. No: 26/00427/FUL Status: Pending
Discharge of condition 4 (landscaping) of planning permission 18/04777/S73
Meadow Farm, Marsh Lane, Dutton, Warrington WA4 4EU
Ref. No: 25/04028/DIS Status: Pending
Discharge of condition 5 (method statement) of planning application 24/00939/FUL
1 Tunnel End, Dutton WA4 4LA
Ref. No: 25/04028/DIS Status: APPROVED
Lawful Development Certificate to establish use of existing use of a dwelling in excess of 10 years.
Land at Northwich Road, Dutton
Ref. No: 25/02892/LDC Status: Pending
Application for a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use for the establishment of hardstanding associated with agricultural operations.
Land At Meadow Farm Northwich Road Dutton Warrington WA4 4LJ
Ref. No: 25/02722/LDC Status: Pending
Change of use of land for B8 open air storage and distribution of agricultural machinery and plant hire, hard surface, installation of perimeter fencing and creation of landscaping bunds – Retrospective.
Ashbrook Plant Hire, Woodside Farm, Northwich Road. WA4 4LJ
Ref. No: 25/02711/FUL Status: Pending
Removal of trees and hedgerow to create a new permeable service driveway in order to replace the existing septic tank (Original brick-built construction) and replace with water treatment plant to meet current regulations.
Bridgewater Warrington Road Dutton Northwich CW8 4QU
Ref. No: 25/02653/FUL Status: APPROVED
Repair works to concrete coping to the offside upstream and repair/replace stop plank grooves on the upstream side of the lock. Replacement of bottom end lock gates, coursed masonry and concrete to upstream approach wall/gate recess (towpath side) and replacement of lock ladder hoops. Installation of one mooring bollard on the lock side (towpath side) and two lock landing bollards on the downstream approach (towpath side).
Trent and Mersey Canal Stop Lock Northwich Road Dutton Northwich WA4 4LA
Ref. No: 25/02551/LBC Status: Pending
Demolition of existing garage and workshop/office and erection of double garage, workshop with office above.
Marsh Cottage Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4EY
Ref. No: 25/02573/FUL Status: WITHDRAWN
Demolition of existing Dutch barn and erection of a stable building and associated hard standings and fencing.
Marsh Lane Farm Barn Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich Cheshire WA4 4EX
Ref. No: 25/02019/FUL – Status: Pending
Change the use of an agricultural field to a dog exercise area – variation of condition 7 (Times of use) of application 22/04104/FUL (Appeal: APP/A0665/W/23/3319849)
Dog Walking Field Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4EX
Ref. No: 25/01835/S73 – Status: REFUSED
Installation and operation of a ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation system (solar farm), energy storage facility and, associated infrastructure and engineering works in association with the laying of connection cable
Land At Aston Grange Aston Frodsham
Ref. No: 24/03807/FUL – Status: Pending
Erection of forestry building and alterations to access. Part retrospective.
Land West of Dones View Farm Northwich Road Dutton Northwich Cheshire
Ref. No: 24/01023/FUL – Status: APPEAL DISMISSED
Discharge of conditions 3 (materials), 7 (sound insulation) and 19 (land contamination) of planning permission 22/01211/FUL
Dutton Park Farm Lodge Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4HL
Ref. No: 23/02170/DIS – Status: Pending
http://pa.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/online-applications/
9. AOB
Concern was raised again about the excavation of sand at Hope Farm. It was agreed that as Enforcement were already involved, all that could be done was to monitor the situation.
A local resident had contacted CW&C concerning the traffic lights at Bartington and the colour change priorities. The response was that the signals were run on MOVA which monitors the number of vehicles through the junction and automatically adjusts the timings to prioritise the busiest approach. It was also indicated that the timings were due to be re-validated in the 2026/27 financial year.
10. Date and Place of next meeting
13th May
All subject to change.