David Wilson Homes bags Nantwich consent

The developer has the all-clear to proceed with 85 homes on the edge of the popular market town, securing a majority verdict at committee.

Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board considered the application this morning for an agricultural site off London Road, on Nantwich’s south-eastern fringe. Savills’ planning team advises the housebuilder on the project.

Taking around an hour, a verdict was given in line with officer recommendation of approving with conditions. Six voted in favour and one against, with four abstentions.

Hanging over this meeting and previous sessions is the factor of the tilted balance – Cheshire East cannot demonstrate a five-year housing supply, impacting its ability to reject proposals without strong planning reasons.

The 15.8-acre application site is located within the parish of Stapeley & Batherton, and is predominantly greenfield agricultural land. Close to 10 acres would remain as open space under the proposals.

A screening opinion was requested early in 2025 for up to 90 homes by the housebuilder.

Now David Wilson, part of the Barratt Redrow group, has established outline permission for up to 85 homes and associated landscaping, children’s play area, sustainable urban drainage, and other infrastructure.

Thirty per cent of homes will be affordable. The proposed level of Section 106 contributions are headed by £300,000 for public transport improvements, and £170,000 for education.

Matt Dawber, director in Savills” planning team, said: “This is a fantastic result for David Wilson Homes, which has engaged proactively with officers of the Council throughout the preparation and determination of this highly robust planning application.

“The intention is now to consult on and submit a reserved matters application as soon as possible to ensure that high quality market and affordable homes can be delivered to meet local needs.”

This is just one of several Nantwich proposals to either reach the strategic planning board this year, or be submitted to the council to begin the planning journey, as developers hone in on what is clearly an attractive market.

The site, the southern part of which is defined by Wynbunbury Lane, sits on the other side of London Road from a previous development by Barratt David Wilson, named Stapeley Water Gardens.

Want to read more? The planning documents can be viewed on Cheshire East’s planning portal, using the reference 25/2193/OUT.