Class E(e) Medical and Health Centre Granted Planning Permission in Rural Cheshire
Planning permission from Cheshire East Council for a new Class E(e) medical and health centre in Burland, near Nantwich, Cheshire, after a previously withdrawn application — by reframing the description and aligning the case with rural economic development policy.
PLANNING APPROVALSCHESHIRE
Andrew Ransome
7/13/20262 min read
In 2021, Cheshire East Council approved planning permission for a new Class E(e) medical and health centre in Burland, a rural settlement near Nantwich, after a previous application had been withdrawn.
I identified that the Council had been applying its rural policies too rigidly, and by reframing the application description and rooting the case firmly in the adopted rural economic development policy, I was able to secure the approval the client needed.
Medical and Health Centre in Rural Cheshire Granted Planning Permission
I secured planning permission from Cheshire East Council for a new building to house a medical and health micro-business in Burland, near Nantwich, in rural Cheshire.
The site already supported a cluster of existing businesses providing recreational and health services in a range of Class B and sui generis uses. The proposed new building would add a complementary health and medical offer — physiotherapy, sports therapy, acupuncture, Pilates and bike fitting — to this growing enterprise hub.
When I was approached, a previous planning application had already been withdrawn following months of failed discussions with the Council.
A thorough planning review of the case identified that the proposals were in fact acceptable, but had been poorly presented.
In particular, the first application described the use as a Class B1 building — a description that had allowed the Council to resist it on the grounds that employment buildings are not generally supported outside settlement boundaries.
I recommended a fresh application.
The key changes were to amend the description to accurately reflect the proposed use as a Class E(e) medical and health service building, and to root the planning case firmly in the Council's own adopted policies supporting rural economic development.
I also sought a minor adjustment to the site boundary to better reflect the extent of the proposed development.
Once the application was reframed, resistance to the principle of development fell away. Cheshire East Council approved the application.
Planning Application Advice
If a planning application has been refused or withdrawn, it is often worth a fresh look at the case. A different framing or a closer reading of the Council's own policies can sometimes make all the difference. Contact me to discuss how I can help.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
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Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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