Crown Estate presses on with Knutsford masterplan

Supported by Barton Willmore, the landowner is set to win support from Cheshire East Council to develop a 26-acre greenfield site to the north of Knutsford.

The plot to the west of Manchester Road is one of three major development sites identified in Cheshire East’s Local Plan, and the landowner is looking to secure planning permission for a mixed-use development.

The outline application includes up to 60 homes and as much as 18.6 acres of employment land; the employment element sits to the north with the houses bordering other residential properties to the south.

Access is proposed via a new roundabout on Manchester Road, while a spine road also forms part of the plans to potentially link the site with other development plots.

A plot of land to the west of the site, also owned by the Crown Estate, is protected open space, along with a further plot to the south of Tabley Road.

The landowner’s intention is that the proposals will dovetail with two further development plots; one to the north of Northwich Road, where there are plans to build 190 homes, and another plot to the east of Manchester Road.

While Knutsford Town Council have argued the proposals are “premature” given the landowner’s plans for its other site to the east of Manchester Road are yet to be finalised, there have been no significant objections to the scheme, and Cheshire East’s planning officers have recommended it for approval at next week’s strategic planning board meeting.

Planning officers said that while Cheshire East could demonstrate a seven-year supply of housing, the proposals by the Crown Estate would “make a valuable contribution in maintaining this position”.

The officers’ report added: “It is considered that the proposals are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable and accord with the development plan and the framework. The site is sustainably located within the town and the proposals represent an efficient use of the land.”

The plans are recommended for approval subject to a Section 106 agreement; this is to include £45,500 towards education provision, and a stipulation that 30% of the homes on the site are affordable, with 65% of these for affordable rent and the remainder for intermediate tenure.

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The Golden triangle of Knutsford, Wimslow and Altrincham are the most sought after postcodes in the North West.

By Cat

Cue people complaining about traffic congestion in 3, 2, 1….

By Anonymous

Great idea
Just need to take the traffic away from Hale Road Hale barns
To prevent pollution.

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