Housing scheme refusal overturned on appeal

A controversial plan to build 160 homes alongside a care home and community facility for a brass band has been granted planning permission on appeal.

Cheshire East Council had originally refused Wain Estates' proposal for land off Crewe Road in Sandbach, but the Planning Inspectorate overturned the decision.

Local campaigner Peter Osborne said the decision was "alarming and difficult to justify", and criticised the council for "lack of meaningful support" after it chose not to defend against the appeal.

The authority said it would not be commenting on the inspector's decision.

Wain Estates said it would now market the site to housing developers.

The proposals include a site for brass band Foden's as well as a country park, alongside the housing and a 70-bed care home.

A public inquiry took place in March, with local residents and representatives of the town council speaking against the plans, after Cheshire East Council said earlier this year it would not defend the appeal.

It said at the time it must "act responsibly" and "not risk wasting money on an appeal we are very unlikely to win".

In his decision, planning inspector Dominic Young said the main issues were the effect of the development on the character of the area in particular the green gap around Sandbach, highway safety and the loss of agricultural land.

He said although the site contributed to the "attractive agricultural landscape between Sandbach and Ettiley Heath", it did not "lie within any local or national designations".

Young said the proposal would provide benefits with homes being built in an area that was "not delivering enough houses to meet the needs of its residents".

He said the care home, site for Foden's and a countryside park would provide "notable community benefits".

"Collectively the benefits listed above are of such magnitude that they clearly outweigh the identified harm and associated policy conflicts," he said.

But local campaigners said they were unhappy with the decision.

Peter Osborne said that he felt residents' "informed and legitimate concerns" had been "disregarded".

"This outcome not only undermines public trust but leaves future homeowners exposed to risks that have not been adequately addressed," he said.

"Perhaps most concerning is the lack of meaningful support from Cheshire East Council in defending these issues on behalf of its community."

Angela Heaney, managing director of Wain Estates, said: "We worked closely with the landowner to create a scheme design befitting of its location.

"The plans provide much needed new housing in an attractive setting and will deliver wider community benefits through the provision of a care facility and extensive public open space."

Read more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.