Cheshire East launches second call for sites amid housing shortage
As local plan preparation ramps up, the council is seeking pitches from landowners, developers, site promoters, and the local community for land that could be developed to meet local needs and improve the authority’s housing land supply position.
Cheshire East Council began the process of preparing an updated local plan in 2023 and launched an initial call for sites in 2024.
Following that process, the council had its annual housing target increased from 1,800 homes a year to more than 2,400 by the Labour government as part of the administration’s efforts to build 1.5m homes over the course of this parliament.
As a result, the council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, which gives developers an upper hand if projects go to appeal and puts pressure on unplanned sites.
Cheshire East is currently facing two appeals from Bloor Homes after refusing plans for a combined 525 homes on sites in Macclesfield and Sandbach.
Both rejections were made against the recommendation of officers, who were mindful of the council’s lack of housing sites and said the projects should be approved.
Last month, the council approved a trio of applications totalling 400 homes.
All three projects were recommended for approval, with officer reports in each case making the point that with Cheshire East unable to currently demonstrate a five-year supply and that refusal of anything but the most egregious of proposals would likely be futile.
As a frequent traveller through Sandbach the area is not sustainable to accommodate further housing to be built. The roads are extremely busy and there is not enough infastructure in place.
By Lee864
Our population density is far too high already and further progression will be to the detriment of our country. Germany and France are vacant compared to us. We are just an island.
By Glynn Robinson
We moved to Congleton for our proximity to open countryside and the lovely old market town centre. 8 years down the line and all the countryside we has access to is covered in crapshack lego housing and the traffic is horrendous again. Well done, Cheshire East, for ruining what was a really nice small town. I can’t wait to move to somewhere where the council wouldn’t sell their own soul to property developers.
By Anonymous
The reality is that each new house means that there will be at least 2 people for each house and more likely 3 if not 4. Sandbach cannot cope with further increases in population – try getting a GP appointment. The town is gridlocked with traffic congestion every day and if there is an incident on the M6 – not an infrequent occurrence. Heavy rainfall results in localised flooding as the Victorian drains struggle to increase with waste water from existing houses never mind building more and more. Greenfields must be retained for food production. Locally produced food means better quality. Moreover there is far less transport involved. Think of the implications of importing food – the carbon footprint, all those air miles. We should be supporting local farmers and maintaining our
food security. Sandbach cannot cope with more houses, further increases in population. Itis full up.
By Anonymous
I see the Cheshire nimby’s are out in force!
By Anonymous