CWAC asks Taylor Wimpey to try again

Cheshire West and Chester Council has deferred a decision on the housebuilder’s bid to deliver 110 homes on the edge of Tattenhall, with members requesting changes to the housing mix.

The plans had been recommended for approval by officers, with the tilted balance brought into play by CWAC’s lack of a five-year housing land supply being a factor.

An advisory team featuring Lichfields, APD and Stantec submitted the £21.5m proposals for a site north of Chester Road last summer, describing it as a landscape-led, multi-purpose green edge to the village. Minor tweaks to layout and access have been made since.

Committee was asked to consider the project due to a call-in by Cllr Mike Jones, citing concerns over traffic and the plan’s possible non-alignment with the in-development neighbourhood plan. Both these issues, particularly traffic on the A41 Chester Road, were mentioned by various councillors.

Taylor Wimpey proposes 30% affordable housing at the 16.3-acre site, but even this was queried at committee, with the housing mix being called into question – Cllr Chris Copeman making the point that one- and two-bedroom homes are required more than four- and five-bed homes.

The make-up of the scheme as it stands is 10 one-beds, 22 two-beds, 37 three-beds, 34 four-beds, and seven five-beds.

A further issue brought up was the impact of the scheme on health provision, Cllr Jones telling the session that Tattenhall and Malpas, having had their GP surgeries merged, are overwhelmed.

After some debate, and officer advice on what would constitute a valid planning reason, the housing mix was decided on as the main issue that members want more clarity on before the item returns to committee. Deferment was proposed and carried by nine votes for to one against, with one abstention.

Documents relating to the scheme can be viewed on CWAC’s planning portal with the reference 25/02070/FUL.