Renew plans 1,000-unit scheme in Alsager

Renew Land Developments has submitted an outline planning application to Cheshire East Council for 1,000 residential units on the 120-acre White Moss Quarry site in Alsager.

The proposal includes a 100-150 bed extra-care housing facility, a convenience store, three shops, a children's daycare centre, pub and doctors' surgery.

If successful, Renew will relocate the garden centre currently operating from the site.

There would be a new roundabout at the junction of Radway Green Road with Crewe Road and Butterton Lane. The diversion of Close Lane is also proposed, following a suggestion from local residents at the first public consultation to overcome highway safety issues in relation to junction of Close Lane with Crewe Road. The revised plans would see Close Lane becoming a cul-de-sac; a similar scheme for Nursery Lane has been shelved in the latest plans to avoid the use of further farming land, in response to feedback at the second public consultation.

Alan Thornley, director of Civitas Planning, is advising Renew. He said: "Although not essential for the development to occur, we have been glad to incorporate the diversion of Close Lane into the proposal. Although a few residents directly impacted by the changes were unhappy about this, when the revised proposal was presented at the second public consultation event in early September, it was well received by the majority.

"Whilst the development is specifically designed to create an independent new village with a high level of service provision, many of the facilities will no doubt be used by residents of Alsager, particularly the convenience store, retail facilities and public open space.

"Furthermore, the necessary and appropriate monetary contributions will be made available to the Council through the planning process for the Council to spend on upgrading existing services, schools, local highways and general infrastructure provision."

Lee Dawkin, director of Renew Land Development, added: "This is a great opportunity for the creation of an entirely new village within Cheshire East on an area of land which, although not strictly classified as brownfield, has been badly disturbed over a long period of time. The response from local businesses has been positive as they've been quick to recognise the benefits the development will bring to the area.

"We have done our utmost to engage with residents to ensure as much clarity over the plans as possible. Not only have we undertaken two rounds of public consultation, we have met with the town council, parish council and members of the White Moss Liaison Group, who have actively encouraged the bringing forward of this application due to the current use of the site.

"We are confident that the majority of local residents are behind the proposals that we have now submitted. It's worth mentioning that until this site came forward as a standalone village, the scheme had full support from most quarters.

"While we accept that there will always be some residents who are likely to object, they certainly won't be reflecting the view of the majority of people we have spoken to. We're proposing to remove a 'bad neighbour' quarry and replace it with much-needed housing and local amenities."

Renew Land Developments is based in Nantwich and was founded by Lee Dawkin in 2009.