Himor submits housing proposal for Crewe

Himor has submitted a planning application to build up to 880 homes to the south of Crewe.

The Gresty Oaks proposals, Himor said, can "make an important contribution to the All Change for Crewe vision and Cheshire East's stated ambition of delivering 3,300 new homes in the town".

e*SCAPE Urbanists led the masterplanning process for Himor, which the developer said "paid particular attention to ensuring that the proposals are sympathetic to the character of the area."

Samuel Stafford, associate director of Himor, said: "Gresty Oaks adjoins the urban area and is well related to both Crewe town centre and the Basford employment sites, and the garden suburb concept means that Gresty Oaks can be an attractive development that sits comfortably within the landscape."

Stafford explained that while Gresty Oaks was not identified as a preferred strategic site in a borough-wide draft development strategy produced by Cheshire East Council, Himor used its representations on that document in February 2013 to urge the local authority to reconsider support for two new villages at Stowford and Barthomley [proposed by Duchy of Lancaster], as well as the continued growth of Shavington.

Steve Bell, planning director of GVA, advising Himor, added: "Given the number of planning applications that are expected to be submitted on sites around Crewe that we do not think are as appropriate as Gresty Oaks, we want to demonstrate to the council that Gresty Oaks is viable, deliverable, and a high-quality option for the growth of the town."

The proposals make provision for:

• 880 new homes, of which a significant number might be affordable homes
• Retirement village, which might comprise a 90-bed care home and 40 independent units
• Local centre, which might include a pub and convenience food story
• 17 hectares of public open space in the form of parks, community gardens and allotments
• 420-place primary school
• Community hall
• Improved parking and playing fields for Crewe Alexandra Soccer & Community Centre

The Gresty Oaks proposals can be viewed online at www.grestyoaks.co.uk