Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 10th December 2025 at 7.45pm at Little Leigh Village Hall.
Present: Councillors Christopher, Dawson, Davenport, Brierley-Jones, Morrell.
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors Antrobus, Hough, Underdown.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No Declarations of Interest were made.
3. Report from CWaC
- Councillor Gibbon was not at the meeting, but the Clerk had distributed the Marbury Ward update.
4. To confirm the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 29th October 2025
MATTERS ARISING
- My Parish Council – Move to .gov.uk domain – Councillor Christopher had done some more research but it was decided to leave it until the next meeting. Payment of this was also discussed and it was agreed that a new Bank Account may be needed. Again, it was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.
- Current Bank Statement: £ 6541.32
- Room Hire Payment: £15.00
6. CORRESPONDENCE
- HyNet North West – Hydrogen Pipeline – This letter was an update on the project. Due to delays from the Government regarding the project, HyNet had made the decision to pause the progression of the Development Consent Order Planning Application until the Government Timeline was clear.
- CW&C – CEO Response – The CEO had responded on the letter of concern relating to planning and enforcement issues. The response was felt to be defensive with no real proposals to address the issues outlined. Councils had been asked if they felt the issue should be pushed further with the request for a formal meeting to take place. The response from Marbury Ward Councils had been fairly unanimous that the matter be taken forward.
- Cheshire Constabulary – This letter had been forwarded from the Clerk at Wincham Parish Council who had written in regards to the news about the number of PCSOs being reduced. Even though they were sorry to make this announcement there were proposals to look at re-designing the workforce of police officers, so that they could meet the challenges on modern day policing. A 30 day consultation period had launched on the 17th November and final decisions on exact numbers and the future model would only be made once the consultation had ended.
7. Planning Appeals:
Erection of forestry building and alterations to access. Part retrospective.
Land West of Dones View Farm Northwich Road Dutton Northwich Cheshire
Ref. No: 25/00089/ND Status: Appeal in Progress
Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use to regularise the existing use of a dwelling in excess of 10 years
Outbuilding To the West of Dones View Farm Northwich Road Dutton Northwich
Ref. No: 25/00018/REF – Status: Appeal in Progress
8. Planning Applications:
Change of use of land for B8 open air storage & distribution of agricultural machinery and plant hire, hard surfacing, installation of perimeter fencing and creation of landscaping bunds – RETROSPECTIVE
Ref. No: 25/02711/FUL – 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
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: Pending
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: Pending
Demolition of existing dutch barn and erection of a stable building and associated hardstandings 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: Pending – Objections raised
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: Pending
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
A suggestion was made to reduce the number of Council meetings to 5. 4 meetings, plus the AGM. Councillors would consider this and it would be discussed at the next meeting.
Concern had been raised about a new house that was being built on Lodge Lane. Councillor Dawson said he would contact the Enforcement Officer regarding the matter.
Councillor Davenport mentioned that the Pack Horse Bridge was in a poor state of repair. It was understood that more in-depth research to the extent of these repairs was to take place in February.
The footpath opposite the old school was in need of some attention. The Clerk would report it but also suggested that Councillors reported it online too.
10. Date and Place of next meeting
21st January
18th March
13th May
All subject to change.