Cheshire East has refused a controversial homes scheme for Sandbach with one councillor arguing they won't accept any application just because the council doesn't have a five-year housing land supply.

The council's planning officers had recommended approval for an application for 160 new homes and 70-bed care home together with a countryside park and community building on land in the green gap off Crewe Road.

Sandbach Town Council, two borough councillors, the CPRE, the Woodland Trust and 136 residents had all objected to the scheme.

And, after hearing arguments from ward councillor Laura Crane (Lab) and other public speakers at Wednesday's (29 October) meeting of the strategic planning board, Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) said he considered there were enough reasons why the application should be refused.

"I understand the difficulties that our officers face in trying to square the circle which is government policy and our local plan, which do not currently align," he said.

"However, I believe in this instance, there are several points on which, if the total weight of them is added together and given equality to that of the housing, will provide us with the defensible position…

"I think therefore we could potentially win an appeal if we were brave enough to refuse this application today."

He moved the outline application from Wain Estates be refused on the grounds it would result in the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land; the site entrance is close to a primary school; the impact on the ancient woodland and the urbanising impact of the countryside park.

Ward councillor, Laura Crane spoke at the meeting. (Photo: Cheshire East)

Cheshire East no longer has a five-year housing land supply since the changes to the national planning policy framework (NPPF) introduced by the Labour government last year.

Cllr Gardiner told the meeting: "There appears to have been an acceptance that, because we have a lack of housing land supply, that we will accept anything and I don't think that's appropriate."

Cllr Fiona Wilson (Macclesfield, Lab), who seconded the move to refuse said: "I think there's a grave number of issues here regarding the loss of countryside land that will be lost forever…

"I think we're focussing ourselves too much in the planning balance, as Cllr Gardiner's pointed out, on the housing land supply issue."

But head of planning David Malcolm said: "Even individually or combined those reasons [for refusal] are not significant in my professional view.

"There is a real risk that we would suffer a costs claim against the council."

Seven councillors voted in favour of refusing the application, two voted voted against and one abstained.