Controversial 45-home Wrenbury scheme wins through

Sovini’s plans for a 100% affordable housing scheme in the Cheshire village have secured approval despite strong local opposition.

Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee this week went along with officer recommendations to approve the project, which comprises two parcels of land off Station Road.

Of these, a plot earmarked for 18 homes already had an outline consent in place – initially refused in 2015, the scheme was later allowed at appeal. An application for the full 45 homes was withdrawn in 2019, and although a further outline consent for the second plot has lapsed, both these consents are still regarded as a material consideration.

Sovini Homes’ professional team includes Satplan, eScape Urbanists and Tyler Grange.

The site is bounded by housing to the north, garages to the west, with the River Weaver to the south and Station Road to the east.

Although there were no objections from the statutory consultees, Wrenbury-cum-Frith Parish Council has submitted four formal comments on the application over the last two years, mostly questioning the need for the scheme to be fully affordable, and the impact on local education provision. In addition, 22 letters of objection were lodged by local residents.

Planning officers reported favourably on the housing mix within the proposals, which include four bungalows, 26 semi-detached homes, nine detached houses and two blocks of three mews houses.

The tenure mix is proposed as 21 shared ownership homes, 15 rent-to-buy and nine at affordable rent.

Sovini has previously secured outline consents on the site in two separate chunks. Credit: planning documents