Cheshire East secures funding to advance garden village

Handforth’s garden village extension has moved a step closer, following the award of £188,000 by the Government to Cheshire East Council to develop the proposals.

The project is being managed by the council’s arms-length company Engine of the North and had previously secured £228,000 from the Homes & Communities Agency. It was one of four North West garden villages announced by the Government in January 2017, along with Halsnead in Knowsley, St Cuthberts near Carlisle and Bailrigg, Lancaster.

Public consultation on a draft planning document will be launched by the council in 2018, prior to it being adopted by the local authority.

The plan is for 1,650 homes, along with a school and community facilities, to be built between the A555 and the A34 to the east of Handforth, close to the Handforth Dean retail park. Hemingway Design produced a visioning document ahead of the original bid.

Cheshire East said that the funding will be used to boost the resources and skills needed to deliver high-quality housing, while encouraging innovative and sustainable design.

Cllr Jamie Macrae, chairman of Engine of the North, said: “The garden village at Handforth will be an exemplar new community, offering a full range of housing types including starter homes, self-build opportunities, mixed house types and homes for older people, making living in the village accessible for all.

“The village heart will provide space for new businesses, shops and cafes, alongside a village hall, community facilities and a village green.

“Improved transport and sustainable green links will connect the village to the surrounding area. Around 40% of the site will be open space for all to enjoy, including a country park, garden squares and leisure facilities.”

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Yet more green belt taken and more traffic congestion to an already ridiculously jammed up area. Has anyone ever been in this area during school time. It’s not just traffic from the local area, it’s traffic coming in from the surrounding areas dropping their kids off at the private schools.

By A Cynical

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