Wain Estates has appealed against Cheshire East's refusal to grant permission for 160 homes and a 70-bed care home in Sandbach.

The council's planning officers recommended earlier this year that councillors approve the controversial proposal, which also included a countryside park and community building, planned for green gap land off Crewe Road.

But the strategic planning board refused the outline application at its meeting on October 29, with Knutsford councillor Stewart Gardiner (Con) arguing they wouldn't accept any application just because the council doesn't have a five-year housing land supply.

Now the applicant has appealed, and a public inquiry will be held at a date yet to be agreed.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner. (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

Sandbach councillor Laura Crane (Lab), who spoke against the application at the October meeting, has notified residents of the appeal on her Facebook page.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she would be commenting on the appeal later this week and sharing further information as and when she receives it.

Cllr Laura Crane. (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

The strategic planning board refused the application in October on the grounds the proposed development would lead to the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and would create an inappropriate means of access due to the proximity of the nearby school.

Councillors also said it would have an adverse impact on the sustainability of the ancient woodland, and the proposed country park would have an urbanising impact on the existing countryside gap and local wildlife.

They said these factors, taken cumulatively, will significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of providing housing, including the contribution to affordable housing.

Cllr Gardiner told the October meeting: "I think therefore we could potentially win an appeal if we were brave enough to refuse this application today."

Comments on the appeal must be received by 21 January, 2026 at the latest and can be made on the planning portal here  quoting the appeal reference APP/R0660/W/25/3376597.

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