Open countryside housing scheme set for approval

Plans to build more than 600 homes in Cheshire are set for approval - despite the proposals being against the council's own policies about building on green land.

Up to 660 properties and a neighbourhood centre on a site near Leighton Hospital in Crewe have been put forward by planning officers at Cheshire East Council.

The site is allocated by the authority as a strategic green gap, but planning officers said because the area does not have a five-year supply of housing land, it "weighs in favour" of approving the plans, and any adverse impacts would be "significantly and demonstrably" outweighed by the benefits.

Around 120 objections have so far been received to the scheme.

They include Wistaston Parish Council, who have objected saying it "encroaches" on the strategic green gap and "ignores" the neighbourhood plans.

Four areas around Crewe are deemed as strategic green gaps in Cheshire East's local plan, which was adopted in 2017 and runs until 2030.

This policy said planning permission would not be granted for schemes which erode the physical gap between the named areas, impact the visual character or affect the undeveloped character of the green gap.

It also added that exemptions would only be considered "where it can be demonstrated that no suitable alternative location is available".

But in the recommending the plans for approval, officers said the council stated that not having a five-year supply of housing land in the area was a "significant material consideration which weighs in favour of permitting the development".

Officers added that the proposal would lead to the loss of open countryside and a reduction of the green gap.

Cheshire East Council's strategic planning board will discuss the plans on Wednesday (27 May).

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