Report says loss of countryside an ‘inevitable consequence given the council’s housing land supply position’
View into the south-western part of the Alsager site, where up to 130 homes are proposed(Image: Pegasus Group)
Controversial plans for up to 130 new homes in the open countryside at Alsager look set to get the go-ahead despite objections from the town council and nearly 120 residents.
Cheshire East planners are recommending the strategic planning board approves the outline application for 6.6 hectares of agricultural land at Manor Farm.
Two vehicular access points will be provided from Hulse Way and William Howell Way.
A report from the planning officer states: “The council is no longer able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and as such relevant policies concerning the supply of housing should be considered out of date – this would include policies relating to the open countryside.”
The application relates to an area of land which adjoins residential properties fronting Middlefield Way, Tangent Place, Collerick Close, Hulse Way, Emberton Road, Cliff Aucott Crescent, Jackson Close, William Howell Way and Selbourne Close.
Alsager Town Council has ‘strongly objected’ citing numerous reasons why the application should be refused. These include it is against the Alsager Neighbourhood Plan ‘to protect the quality of existing landscape and wildlife’.
The town council has also raised highways concerns in relation to increased congestion and access and safety issues. And it says the site is used to grow winter wheat resulting in a loss of active arable land.
Cheshire East has received 119 letters from residents opposing the development. Their concerns include, but are not limited to, local schools’ inability to cope with the increase in population and doctors and dentists already operating at capacity. They also object to the inadequate access points and the impact on wildlife and loss of habitat.
The officer’s report acknowledges the proposal would result in the loss of open countryside but says: “This will be an inevitable consequence given the council’s housing land supply position.
“The application site is pleasant agricultural land, but it is not exceptional in landscape terms.”
It says the proposed development would result in the loss of two individual trees and part of two groups of trees, all of which are protected by a tree preservation order.
It continues: “The vast majority of the protected trees which are on and adjoin the site would be retained.”
The report says other harm associated with this development would be the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and the loss of the access to the non-designated heritage asset – Manor Farm.
The council’s planners say the proposal would provide up to 130 homes, including 30 per cent affordable. It would provide economic benefits during both the construction and occupation stages of the development.
They say the site is sustainably located and there is access to the services available in Alsager including the town centre and public transport.
The report states: “The impacts in terms of highways, local infrastructure, ecology, pollution (air quality, contaminated land, lighting), flood risk, archaeology, and amenity can be mitigated or resolved at the reserved matters stage or through the imposition of planning conditions.”
The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions and S106 agreements which include the affordable housing, onsite play provision, and financial contributions towards the NHS, highways, education, public transport and indoor and outdoor sports.
The strategic planning board meeting takes place at 10.30am on Tuesday, June 9, at Crewe Municipal Buildings.
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.
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