Cheshire East planners are recommending councillors give the go-ahead for up to 180 homes in the open countryside at Sandbach despite nearly 300 objections from residents.

Gladman wants to build the homes, which would include 30 per cent affordable, on land west of Bradwall Road.

The outline application, which will be considered by the strategic planning board next week, proposes vehicular access from Bradwall Road to the east of the site, with a pedestrian access point to the north-east corner.

But there have been numerous objections to the scheme.

Sandbach Town Council listed several reasons why the application should be refused including 'failure to consider cumulative impacts of nearby developments breaching their S106 agreements'.

A section 106 agreement is a legal agreement regarding measures the developer must take to reduce the impact of a development on the community.

The town council also raised other concerns including traffic.

And it argued Sandbach does not need more housing , saying Cheshire East has 5,068 vacant homes which is the equivalent of more than two years housing supply.

It added: "The harm generated by bringing existing buildings into use would be less than the construction of new homes."

Bradwall Parish Council said the proposal is contrary to the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan which outlines a strong local desire to preserve farmland, green spaces and the open countryside setting of the town.

It said this was over-development of the town and would place a strain on local infrastructure.

Sandbach councillor Nicola Cook (Ind) also raised several objections and pointed out two previous applications for the same site had been refused.

But Cheshire East planners have recommended the scheme be approved, saying the council is no longer able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

Since the government made changes to the national planning policy framework at the end of 2024, the council now only has a 3.8-year supply.

A report from the council's planning officer to next week's meeting states: "The proposal would result in the loss of open countryside, but 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 adds: "Other harm associated with this development would be the loss of BMV (best and most versatile agricultural land) which would provide some limited weight against the proposed development."

But the report says there are benefits which weigh in favour of this proposal including the delivery of up to 180 homes, as well as the economic benefit of the construction works to the supply chain and the local economy, and economic benefits of the new dwellings once occupied.

It adds: "The proposal would also provide benefits in terms of the open space provision."

With regard to statements about bringing empty homes back into use, the planning officer says: "The housing target is for additional new homes for population growth and not the recycling of vacant homes."

The strategic planning board meeting takes place at Crewe Municipal Buildings at 10.30am on Wednesday, January 28.

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