Muller ramps up Sandbach ambitions

The property group has mapped out a 452-home second phase of its Sandbach South masterplan, the fourth large-scale housing scheme the firm has proposed in Cheshire this year.

Developer and land promoter Muller has now lodged plans with Cheshire East Council as it seeks a hybrid consent for the proposals, which along with the housing, include local centre amenities, sports facilities, public open space and green and blue infrastructure amounting to around half the site’s redline footprint.

The land sits south of Houndings Lane. Full planning permission is requested for demolition of existing buildings, and the construction of a new spine road, site access points and enabling infrastructure.

That will set the scene for the development to follow, with outline consent sought for up to 452 new homes, including 30% affordable housing, along with the other aspects of the scheme.

Muller’s project team includes:

• Asteer Planning
• Barrie Newcombe
• BTG Eddisons
• Steve Shields
• Brindle & Green Environmental Consultants
• JPM Acoustics
• Roberts Environmental
• Georisk Management

Leveraging Cheshire East’s parlous housing land supply position – a number subject to change, but pegged at 3.3 years in Asteer’s planning statement submitted here, some way short of the five years required of councils – the locally-based property firm has also this year put in for a 411-home second phase of Maylands Park, south of Nantwich.

This was followed in April by submission of a 520-home third phase of Crewe Northern Gateway, while Muller is also looking for success in Cheshire West & Chester Council’s jurisdiction, applying for up to 448 homes in Winsford in July.

Muller’s Sandbach proposals form the second phase of a wider masterplan for land south of Old Mill Road into a sustainable extension to Sandbach, an area which has seen Muller rework proposals at various stages as recorded by Place here.

Following a deal in November 2024, the approved first phase of Sandbach South is now being delivered by Muller’s development partner Anwyl Homes, and will provide 204 homes along with the initial infrastructure needed to support future growth.

This includes a new spine road connecting directly to an enlarged A534/A533 roundabout, the additional capacity of which is designed to accommodate Sandbach South’s second phase.

Construction of the highway improvements is expected to commence shortly.

Muller said that the approved first phase alone will deliver more than £10m of investment into the local community through a legally binding Section 106 agreement and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions, including around £1.5m for primary and secondary education and around £3m towards the enlarged roundabout.

Phase two comes in at 79 acres. The local centre facilities will amount to around 4,300 sq ft of commercial and community floorspace, potentially housing retail and/or health facilities.

The sports provision includes a full-size grass football pitch, multi-use games area and sports pavilion. Thirty nine acres will be public open space.

As set out in the scheme’s design & access statement, the site sits across the parishes of Sandbach and Hassell, and sits to the south of phase one.

Muller will head towards a planning decision with some confidence. Even before Cheshire East’s housing land supply situation is considered, the firm said that technical work has demonstrated that there are no significant environmental constraints, while no statutory or non-statutory heritage assets are located on or adjacent to the site. No significant contamination risks have been identified. Fewer than 20 existing homes directly back onto the site.

The site sit east of the A-road, with a revamped roundabout set to provide access. Credit: Muller Property Group

Colin Muller, founder and chief executive of Muller Property Group, said: “There is a clear need for high-quality new homes in Sandbach and the wider Cheshire area, and these proposals have been carefully developed to create a sustainable new neighbourhood that responds to both local housing needs and the aspirations of the community.

“This is the culmination of many years of planning, technical assessment and engagement, building on the approved first phase to create a comprehensive masterplan rather than a standalone housing development. Together, the two phases will deliver new homes alongside investment in schools, healthcare, sports facilities, transport infrastructure, extensive green spaces and community facilities.”

He concluded: “We are pleased to have reached this stage and look forward to continuing to work positively with Cheshire East Council, local stakeholders and the community as the application progresses.”

Subject to planning permission, Muller said development could start in 2027, with the first homes expected to be occupied in 2028.

Documents relating to the scheme can be viewed on CECs planning poral, using the reference 26/2445/FUL.