End nears for Countryside’s Crewe planning headache 

Cheshire East looks set to retrospectively approve permission for the developer’s 263-home scheme, which would put an end to fears the whole estate might have to be knocked down. 

Countryside Partnerships was granted planning permission in 2018 for Coppenhall Place in Crewe. The project was subsequently built and the homes, a mix of private rented properties and houses for market sale, are occupied. 

However, it was determined last year that the developer had not satisfied a planning condition relating to land contamination, rendering the original approval void. 

This sparked concerns among homeowners that, without a valid planning consent, the developer might be asked to tear the scheme down. 

While this seems extreme, it is not without precedent. Earlier this year, Greenwich Council ordered Comer Homes Group to knock down two occupied tower blocks after the developer failed to stick to conditions set out in the planning permission. 

Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board will meet next week to determine whether the planning approval will be reinstated. Officers have recommended it should be. 

The matter was supposed to be decided in March but was deferred so that further ground investigations could be carried out. 

Environmental protection officers are now “satisfied that the site is suitable for a residential end-use”, according to a report to the planning board. 

Countryside declined to comment.