Cheshire East approves in Congleton, defers in Nantwich

Richborough has the all-clear for 120 homes off Sandbach Road, but Nightingale Land must try again at Broad Lane, Nantwich, where there are several firms pursuing development.

Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board met on Thursday 5 March to discuss the month’s big ticket items. One item, an eco-lodge project near Mere, had been recommended for refusal and was withdrawn ahead of the meeting.

Land off Sandbach Road, Congleton (25/2500/OUT)

Land promoter Richborough and Land First Investments sought to establish outline consent for 120 homes on a site classed as open countryside, but immediately bordering the settlement boundary, which officers described as “urban and residential in character”.

With Cheshire East unable to demonstrate a five-year housing supply at present, approval was recommended, with a 36-home helping of affordable housing provided substantial weight at the 13.6-acre site.

Nine votes were registered in favour with one abstention.

Land off Broad Lane, Nantwich (25/2977/OUT)

Outline approval was also recommended for David Gladman’s Nightingale Land business, which wants to demolish 6 Broad Lane to open up a scheme of 75 homes, including 30% affordable homes.

The site is considered by officers to be sustainably located, with the promoter proposing improvements to a public right of way linkage, also proposing a contribution for bus services. Objections were however lodged by both Nantwich Town Council and Stapeley & District Parish Council.

The application taxed the committee for around 90 minutes, with concerns raised over the matters such as access and travel concerns, with reference to the combined weight of different proposals in the area impacting an already busy area.

Although officers stressed that the application – a relatively small one one in context – should be judged on its own merits, and that the impact of the larger schemes will be addressed when they themselves reach committee – members remained hard to sway on highways matters.

This is undoubtedly a development hotspot. In the last two weeks alone, Place has reported on Seddon’s bid to develop 275 homes off Broad Lane, along with Muller Property Group’s quest for a further 411 residences. David Wilson Homes, Anwyl and McCarthy Stone have all won consents in the area in recent years.

A deferment was proposed, which won through by five votes to four with the chair, Cllr Brian Puddicombe, abstaining.