Campaigners fighting plans to block a 325 housing plan at Sandbach Heath by Bloor Homes have explained why the scheme shouldn't go ahead.

Sandbach Nub News explained earlier this week here how the Sandbach Vs Overdevelopment group said it received 87 complaints in just one day from residents unable to upload their objections to Cheshire East's 'upgraded' planning portal.

The date for members of the public to comment on the Bloor Homes application to build the dwellings and a community park on 19.28 hectares of open countryside and agricultural land between Manor Road and the A533, The Hill, was extended to until Thursday (9 October) following some revisions to the scheme.

And campaigner and a spokesperson for the Sandbach Vs Overdevelopment group, Dennis Smith, hopes that's not the end of it and all objections are taken into consideration with the application - number 25/0211/OUT which can be viewed on Cheshire East Council's website here.

Campaigners set up the Sandbach Vs Overdevelopment group. (Photo: Nub News)

Sandbach Vs Overdevelopment says around 1,000 objections have been uploaded on to the council's planning portal regarding the application.

Mr Smith said: "We are concerned that any development in Sandbach meets the local housing needs and does not try to supply what the town does not need.

"The proposed development by Bloor Homes is dangerous and inappropriate, does not accord with the ongoing assessment of the housing that is needed, and is unsustainable and not constructable.

"It does not meet the needs of local people but may attract people currently living and working in Manchester and will further establish Sandbach as a dormitory town that does not create any jobs locally.

"It will only add more harms to the existing traffic gridlock and there is insufficient infrastructure to support any further large developments.

"What Sandbach needs is a housing mix focused on developments near to existing town centre facilities and services within the existing Sandbach settlement boundary but protecting vital green spaces and the green gateways to Sandbach Parish/Town.

Mr Smith describes the plan as "Hong Kong on the Hill" saying it is badly designed, too dense and too high.

"The new dwellings will tower above the existing properties in Manor Road, Rose Way, Hassall Road, Colley Lane, Cross Lane and Coldmoss Drive, mirroring one of the reasons why a previous application for development for land around the Leonard Cheshire Home on The Hill was rejected by an Inspector 10 years ago.

"The developments proposed by Bloor Homes will create havoc on The Hill. Access on The Hill is dangerous, and the Leonard Cheshire Home will face more risks of various types.

"There will be less access for vital emergency vehicles, and the home could face other problems from potential loiterers in the proposed park that is designed to be close by the home, where public toilets have been planned as part of the design features.

"In addition to the problems of heavy lorries using Hassall Road to service the construction site for Anwyl homes that is already planned to take place, further use of lorries and heavy equipment by the developer will clutter the roads around the sites across Sandbach Heath and Coldmoss Heath that Bloor plan to build on."

Mr Smith says in a bid to make their development have some appeal a new access footpath and cycleway will not mitigate against the harm, loss and dangers that the development will bring to The Hill and areas around it.

"It will certainly not make it sustainable for many reasons and will only add to other measures of unsustainability such as the lack of biodiversity net gain, significant drainage issues because the water table is so high, and potential runoff issues into the stream that flows to Malkins Bank and sites of special scientific interest," he said.

"Cheshire East Council have asked Bloor to pay for dualling a small section of road between the Waitrose roundabout and the traffic lights at the foot of The Hill.

"This is reflected in a report by Curtins, who are acting on behalf of Bloor Homes. It will cause significant chaos and delays which is further proof that proposed developments will not benefit Sandbach but instead cause considerable harm way more than anything that has been acknowledged so far.

"A toucan crossing is proposed to be sited on a dangerous bend on the 60mph road that goes past the Leonard Cheshire home and between two exit and entry points, with playgrounds either side.

"This is an ill-conceived design and location. It is unsafe and puts children's lives at severe risk. It serves no one outside the new Bloor estates.

"A safe crossing on the Hill has been sought for many years adjacent to Hassall Road but the proposal by Bloor Homes is in the wrong place and will cause harm rather than benefit."

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