Cheshire East to decide on Knutsford resi, Crewe sheds

Muse wants to build 1.35m sq ft of industrial space at Basford East, while Tatton Estate’s proposed Bluebell Village could house 250 homes, a care home and neighbourhood amenities.

At Basford East, long one of the borough’s development hotspots, approval is recommended for a hybrid application submitted by developer Muse, advised by planner Avison Young and architect AEW.

On the northern portion of the site, Muse is seeking full planning permission for around 783,000 sq ft, across three buildings. A flexible consent is sought for two of these, covering light industrial and manufacturing as well as distribution.

For the site’s remainder, Muse is seeking outline consent for around 575,000 sq ft, which would over offices, light industrial use and warehousing/distribution. A detailed indicative masterplan has been submitted.

Officers are on-side: it is noted that appropriate space is factored in between the Taylor Wimpey residential development on the neighbouring plot, designs are up to standard, and the proposals should result in around 2,900 jobs for the area.

It is also noted that the impact on the wider highway network will be mitigated through the implementation of a scheme for the full signalisation of the David Whitby Way/A500 roundabout, and also an A500 and A5020 access improvement contribution of £2.45m secured through a Section 106 agreement.

The Muse site abuts a Taylor Wimpey development. Credit: planning documents

Advised by Pegasus, Tatton Estate Management is also heading to committee with a recommendation for approval.

North-west of Knutsford on land east of Manchester Road, the site concerned sits within an allocation for housing, with the developer also  proposing a 50-bed care home and a 10,000 sq ft local centre, to comprise shops, F&B and a medical facility.

Up to 275 dwellings are proposed, with no more than 250 to be houses, and no more than 50 to be care home spaces.

Outline consent only is sought at this point for the site, which is made up of a series of fields amounting to around 35 acres. The land is earmarked for around 250 homes, ands is part of a wider plan for around 500 dwellings.

The plans in a broad sense have come forward before; with a ‘resolved to approve’ verdict given in 2019: however, agreement was never reached on issues such as the Section 106, affordable housing and open space provision.

In the refreshed version of the project, the site area has been reduced to match the housing allocation’s boundaries; with a previously desired pub/hotel now removed. There is more open space, the local centre has been moved closer to the main road, and active travel route provision improved.

Knutsford Town Council is an objector, while 60 public objections have also been submitted. Approval is recommended, with conditions requested including 30% affordable homes provision and a £1.3m highways contribution.

Cheshire East’s strategic planning board considers the proposals on Wednesday 29 May. The Muse application can be viewed with the reference 23/0539N on the council’s planning portal, and the Tatton plan is at 18/3672M.

Tatton has moved the local centre closer to Manchester Road in revised plans. Credit: planning documents