Planners back housing proposal despite objections
Residents are objecting to a proposed 325-home development (image supplied)
- Published
Plans for up to 325 homes in Sandbach have been recommended for approval, despite 1,100 objections and a 2,135-signature petition.
Bloor Homes wants to build on open countryside and agricultural land between Manor Road and the A533.
The application includes 30% affordable homes and is due to be considered by Cheshire East's strategic planning board on 19 November.
The council's planners acknowledge the site lies within open countryside, where national and local policy seeks to restrict development, but the authority no longer has a five-year land supply since the government made changes to the national planning policy framework at the end of 2024.
A report from the council's planning officer states: "The loss of open countryside is balanced against the benefits of providing much-needed housing on the edge of one the borough's key service centres.
"The site is sustainable, is not of particular landscape value and the delivery of the site for residential development will provide a positive contribution towards the council's housing land supply whilst representing an efficient use of land."
Sandbach Town Council claims the application is "procedurally unlawful", and should be refused.
It states: "Submission is substantively deficient - across biodiversity, arboriculture, flood risk, heritage, ecology, PROW [public right of way], and highways."
Betchton Parish Council has also objects, saying the "sheer number of new documents" submitted as part of the planning process "would appear to be deliberately trying to confuse and mislead the public".
The application site for 325 homes is outlined in red with the other land owned by the applicant outlined in blue
Approximately 1,100 objections have been sent to Cheshire East Council over the two consultation periods from more than 600 addresses, including from the ward councillors.
The objectors cite more than 50 reasons why they believe the application should be refused, including loss of farmland, traffic concerns and a fundamental change in the area's character.
The planning officer's report states that the proposal is for sustainable development which would bring environmental, economic and social benefits.
It adds that is considered to be acceptable in the context of the relevant up-to-date policies of the Cheshire East local plan strategy.
This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
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