Decision due on plans to build 54 homes on former green belt

Plans to build 54 homes on a parcel of land located west of Alderley Road are due to be determined by the Northern Planning Committee next week.

Outline planning permission for up to 60 dwellings to be built on the 4.45 hectare former green belt site were approved by Cheshire East Council in October 2018. (reference 17/5837M)

Story Homes have submitted a reserved matters seeking permission for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping to build a residential development of 54 dwellings, comprising of 38 market homes and 16 affordable dwellings. There are mix of units proposed on the site ranging from 1 bed apartments to 5 bed houses.

ANSA, the Council owned responsible for managing waste, parks and grounds, said they are unable to support the plans due to concerns about the siting of the play area which they felt could lead to anti-social behaviour because of the lack of surveillance, is located within a flood zone, close proximity to a highway without a gate and might not be accessible all year round due to the weather. ANSA also objected on the grounds that insufficient detail had been provided for the play area itself, including specifications as well as a detailed management and maintenance plan.

Wilmslow Town Council also object to the proposals for a variety of reasons including the proposed tree lining along Alderley Road is inadequate, any buildings in this part of the site should not exceed two-storey's in height, it fails to respect the local character, the types of houses and their distribution within the wider area, surface water drainage should be dealt with within the defined site and inadequate green infrastructure provision.

Additionally, objections were received from 17 residential addresses.

However the Planning Officer is recommended that committee members approve the scheme at their meeting on Wednesday,10th August,

A report prepared for the meeting on Wednesday,10th August, states "Following extensive negotiations and the receipt of various sets of revised and further plans, it is now deemed that the layout, scale and appearance of the application proposals is acceptable. It is considered that the scheme achieves the correct balance between respecting the specific design characteristics of Fulshaw Park and its gateway location as well as providing a good mix of properties in order to create a sustainable community.

"The provision of solar panels, water buts and the already required electric charging points ensure that the scheme can demonstrate strong green credentials. Matters in relation to landscape, including trees, are deemed to be acceptable in principle, subject to the specific detail being agreed by the Council's Landscape Officer. The scheme is deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Council's Highway's Officer and would result in no notable concerns regarding neighbouring amenity, or ecology subject to conditions."

"Securing the relevant amount of affordable housing and mitigating the development's impact upon local education provision, health, open space (in principle) and flood risk were resolved or secured at outline stage. Subject to the satisfactory receipt of outstanding consultee responses, the application is recommended for approval."

The plans can be viewed on Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 21/4669M.