Cheshire East officers are recommending a developer be allowed to add 25 homes to a 190 housing scheme in Holmes Chapel, even though it goes against the council's own policy.

In August 2021 the council's strategic planning board turned down an application by Bloor Homes to site 25 dwellings on land off London Road, on the grounds it was contrary to open countryside policies and contrary to the Brereton Neighbourhood Plan.

The vote was six to five for refusal.

Now the same applicant has submitted a new scheme for the same site.

In a report due to go before tomorrow's (Wednesday) meeting of the strategic planning board, the council's planning officer acknowledges this scheme goes against policy.

The report states: "The site lies within the open countryside, where national and local policy seeks to restrict development. The proposal does not fall within any of the exceptions prescribed by policy."

It continues: "However, the principle of a mixed residential and office development for 190 dwellings and 4200 sq m of offices has already been established on this site and the adjoining land at appeal. This is a significant material consideration in favour of the scheme."

Access to the proposed scheme, which would include 36 per cent affordable housing and six bungalows, would be taken from the adjoining development.

The officer states: "The proposal would not materially harm neighbouring residential amenity and would provide sufficient amenity for future occupants."

He adds: "With respect to highways, the development will not have a detrimental impact on the local highway network, even accounting for other committed developments.

"However, the development will need to mitigate its impact on the nearby London Road / Chester Road junction to provide some highway and pedestrian improvement works. These would be secured by financial contribution."

Brereton Parish Council has objected to the proposal.

It argues it is contrary to the Cheshire East Local Plan and the Brereton Neighbourhood Plan and does not meet the conditions for it to be treated as an exception.

The parish council says the extra 25 houses would further stress the already overloaded facilities in the Holmes Chapel.

Holmes Chapel Parish Council has listed 12 concerns among its objections.

These include, there is no demonstrable need for more housing in Holmes Chapel, the existing infrastructure cannot cope, and the inconsistency in applying the local plan policies by Cheshire East's planning officers.

Twenty residents have also written to the council, citing more than 30 reasons of objection.

The planning officer has recommended the application be approved, subject to conditions, stating: "Whilst the proposal seeks to provide 25 dwellings in the open countryside, they would be accommodated on a site already committed for development.

"The proposal would bring environmental, economic and social benefits that would outweigh the policy conflict with the development plan in this case and the objections in relation to Jodrell Bank and healthcare provision, the impacts of which would be minor in the context of the wider development proposals."

The strategic planning board meeting takes place at 10am tomorrow (Wednesday, November 23) at Macclesfield Town Hall.