Plans have been submitted for 160 new homes and a 70-bed care home on land off Crewe Road at Sandbach.

The outline application here from Wain Estates, also includes a community building and a new countryside park.

The site comprises fields bounded by the rear gardens of existing housing along Park Lane to the north, the rear gardens of existing housing along Crewe Road to the east, the Wheelock Rail Trail to the south and agricultural fields and woodland to the west.

A planning statement submitted by Emery Planning on behalf of the applicant says: "The site has been the subject of a previous appeal, which was dismissed in 2016 due to the impact of that proposal on the local green gap."

But it says this new application is very different.

Crewe Road, Sandbach (Google) The application site is off Crewe Road, Sandbach (Google)

"The dismissed appeal was a scheme for up to 200 dwellings located within the south-eastern and middle parts of the site," the planning document adds.

"The development proposed under this application is for up to 160 dwellings within the north-eastern and middle parts of the land and in addition, turns the remainder of the site into open space."

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It says there also additional benefits in this scheme including:

• a new community building which 'would also provide a much-needed practice facility and hub for Foden's Band';
• a significant new countryside park which can be used by new and existing residents;
• a circular recreational route would be provided that can host 'park run' style events;
• a connection will also be provided from the countryside park to the Wheelock Trail;
• the provision of car parking for the new community building, which would be multi-functional and can be used in relation to pick up and drop off for Wheelock Primary School.

The proposals include 30 per cent affordable housing.

Vehicular access to the site would be from Crewe Road.

The application site is designated as open countryside within the Cheshire East Local Plan and as a local green gap within the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan.

The planning statement on behalf of the applicant states: "However, the council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

"In such circumstances, the open countryside and local green gap policies must be considered to be out of date, and the tilted planning balance is engaged.

"This means that planning permission should be granted, unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits."

At the time of writing, three representations have been made to the council, two objecting to the scheme and one making general comments.

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One objector said: "This proposal is yet another blow to the town of Sandbach and its surrounding countryside.

"Developments like this are killing off our town's identity and destroying the natural landscapes that make this area special.

"The cumulative impact of constant development is being felt heavily by residents."

The application, number 25/1403/OUT link here , can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

The last date for submitting comments is June 12, 2025.

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