Campaigners fighting plans for 160 homes and a care home being built are urging as many people as possible to attend a public enquiry this month.

Cheshire East Council voted to refuse the controversial plan from Wain Estates here in October but now Wain Estates has appealed against this decision.

The council's planning officers had recommended approval for the application here for 160 new homes and a 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 all objected to the scheme.

Now Wain Estates has lodged an appeal and local residents are urging as many people as possibleto attend an appeal hearing at Canalside Conference Centre in Middlewich on 17 March at 10 am.

Residents living near the proposed development say the proposal does not have the consent of the community and residents remain strongly opposed to it and we are "fighting on".

Peter Osborne, spokesperson for the Crewe Road and Park Lane residents group said: "We feel we have a strong case, particularly with regard to the heritage importance of and deterioration of the ancient woodland which would result from any development on this site based on sound geological and hydrological arguments.

"There are also strong safety arguments against the proposed access near the school on Crewe Road and the proposed cycle access onto Park Lane which is already dangerous with parked cars on either side and poor visibility.

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'We are writing on behalf of local residents in Sandbach to invite you to attend and report on the forthcoming public inquiry concerning the proposed Wain Estates housing development. The inquiry will take place at the Canalside Conference Centre, Middlewich, CW10 0JG on 17 March at 10:00am.

"This inquiry has taken on heightened significance following the recent withdrawal of Cheshire East Council from the proceedings.

"The Council claims that it no longer has the financial resources to continue and does not believe it could win the case which we strongly contest. Their withdrawal leaves only local residents and Sandbach Town Council to present the case against the appellant developers Wain Estates.

"At the earlier planning inquiry, the proposed development was refused on several key grounds including:

- The unacceptable loss of open countryside and erosion of the settlement boundary.

- The impact on the designated Green Gap, which plays a vital role in preventing the coalescence of Sandbach and neighbouring communities.

- Harm to ancient woodland and associated biodiversity, with concerns that mitigation measures were inadequate or unproven.

- Severe concerns about highways capacity and road safety, especially near to a local school, with existing routes already under strain.

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- Insufficient local infrastructure to support additional housing, including schools, healthcare, and transport.

- The cumulative impact of multiple large-scale developments already approved in and around Sandbach.

"This new inquiry is therefore a critical test case for Sandbach. The town is currently facing development proposals totalling approximately 2,300 new homes, despite lacking the infrastructure required to support such growth.

"The outcome of this inquiry will set an important precedent for how future applications are assessed and for the ability of local communities to challenge speculative development.

"Given the substantial public interest and the implications for planning processes across Cheshire and beyond, we would greatly value your attendance. Your presence will help ensure transparency and allow the wider public to understand the circumstances and consequences of this inquiry.

"Members of the public have been asked to register their interest in attending the inquiry with Cheshire East Council by email [email protected] including their status e.g. interested party."

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