Cheshire East has refused controversial plans to build up to 325 homes in Sandbach because of the harmful impact on heritage assets.

Bloor Homes wants to build the dwellings, together with a community park, on 19.28 hectares of open countryside and agricultural land between Manor Road and the A533, The Hill.

The council's planning officers had recommended the outline application be approved.

Ward councillor Sam Corcoran (Lab) told yesterday's (Wednesday) meeting of the strategic planning board: "The officer report makes clear that the application, as it stands, harms the heritage assets of two listed buildings [Oakley House and Leonard Cheshire Home] but claims that this can be mitigated sufficiently by reducing the number of units from 325 to 275, a big decrease. But can it?

"There are no designs, plans or applications before us today to demonstrate this."

He also raised concerns about drainage.

"Several of the gardens on Rose Way are waterlogged and since Rose Way was built there are drainage problems for some gardens on Cross Lane," said Cllr Corcoran.

"This housing will cause severe drainage issues for houses on the site and adjoining houses.

"There will also be more run-off from the site into the stream that flows down to the council-owned Malkins Bank Golf Course where there is known to be underground toxic waste.

"So, if you raise the water table downstream, you will cause real problems with toxic waste."

Cllr Tim Wheatcroft, representing Sandbach Town Council, described the proposal as 'building a village and dropping it outside the town'.

"It's in the wrong place. It's not sustainable, and we believe it's not readily constructible in its current format," he said.

Councillors were also told the proposal would have a massive impact on the vulnerable young adults with complex nursing needs living at Leonard Cheshire Home.

The home's manager, Leanne Walsh, said: "Access is required 24 hours a day, seven days per week in case of any emergencies, medical treatment or transport to the hospital.

"The increase in the traffic that the scheme will bring will cause problems and delays, which may be life-critical to our residents."

She added: "We have residents with autism, so the noise this is going to bring as well, it's going to impact on them massively."

Dennis Smith, chair of Sandbach vs Overdevelopment, referred to numerous concerns including highways, drainage and the impact on the Leonard Cheshire Home.

"This area will be drastically altered from a calm natural environment to one comprising chaotic residential and increased traffic noise as well as congestion," he said.

The agents representing Bloor told the meeting that, subject to the committee approving the application, the developer would accept a cap on development of 275 homes and would not build close to the Leonard Cheshire Home.

The scheme included 30 per affordable homes.

Cllr Heather Seddon (Congleton, Lab) said she was happy with the proposal and that houses were needed.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) suggested the application be deferred for more information on a number of issues.

Cllr Fiona Wilson (Macclesfield, Lab), who moved the application be refused, said: "Harmed heritage assets is a clear concern of mine, and I think we have to take that into consideration."

Cllr Wilson also wanted to refuse on highways grounds but was told this could lead to costs for the council at appeal as highways officers had not objected.

The move to refuse was seconded by Mobberley councillor Hannah Moss (Con).

The application was refused on the grounds of the harmful impact on the heritage assets and the applicant's failure to show how this could be overcome.

Seven councillors voted to refuse the application, one voted against refusal and three abstained.

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