An application to build 25 homes on land off Wrights Lane in Sandbach Heath has been recommended for refusal.

Edgefold Homes wants to build two bungalows and 23 houses on the 1.2ha site which lies within the allocated Capricorn site in the local plan.

But Cheshire East planners are urging councillors to refuse the scheme, fearing it will set a precedent for residential development on land within the site which is allocated for employment use.

In a report due to go before next Wednesday's (January 11) meeting of the southern planning committee, the council's officer states: "Whilst this development is of a relatively small scale, it gives rise to some complex planning considerations given that a significant portion of the land straddles a planting buffer and encroaches on land allocated for employment uses, conflicting with the adopted policy.

"Ultimately, if approved, there are concerns that the proposal would set a precedent for further residential development on employment land within this allocated site."

The proposal is for two one-bedroom homes, two two-bed, eight three-bed and 13 four-bedroom properties. All would be two-storey, apart from the two bungalows. Eight would be affordable homes.

Access to the site would be via Wrights Lane.

Sandbach Town Council has objected to the scheme on a number of grounds.

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Town councillors said they would like to see that the Capricorn site provides employment opportunities and believe that this housing application is premature in that respect.

The town council states: "Job opportunities should provide financial security within the community and employment should be delivered before any further houses."

Objections have been received from 14 residents.

Included among their list of 50 reasons for opposing the scheme are fears Heath Road cannot cope with further vehicles, claims access should be taken from within the Capricorn development and arguments that Sandbach has already exceeded its housing allocation and this does not comply with the local plan.

The Sandbach Heath Neighbourhood Forum has also objected to the scheme, as has Sandbach Footpath Group.

Cheshire East planners have recommended the application be refused on four grounds.

They say:

• the proposed development is contrary to local plan policies and 'the piecemeal loss of parcels from the employment area to alternative uses has the potential to prejudice delivery of the employment site as a whole';
• the scheme would not make a positive contribution to its surroundings;
• it would create additional vehicle movements past some properties at Wrights Lane and cause harm due to increased environmental disturbance and traffic generation;
• it would not provide sufficient public open space and children's play space.

The southern planning meeting takes place at 10am next Wednesday (January 11th), at Crewe Municipal Buildings.

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