Middlewich 52-home scheme recommended for approval

The application for the land to the east and west of Croxton Lane includes new vehicular access from Croxton Lane and new open space areas with children's play area.

The application, which was due to be considered by Cheshire East’s southern planning committee last May, is now on the agenda for next Wednesday’s (March 15) meeting at Crewe Municipal Buildings.

In a report due to go to that meeting the council’s planning officer states: The (Cheshire) Brine Board is of the opinion that the site is within an area which has previously been affected by brine subsidence and future movements cannot be discounted.”

He adds: “The concerns regarding brine subsidence are noted, but this issue will be resolved at the building regulations stage.”

The meeting will be held at Crewe Municipal Buildings (Image: Belinda Ryan, LDRS)

Middlewich Town Council has raised numerous objections to the scheme – and 66 residents have sent letters to Cheshire East opposing it.

As well as concerns about ground stability and brine subsidence, the town council’s objections include the development is close to the canal; the site is in close proximity to a former landfill site;  and there will be an impact on local school places as well as on doctor and dental services.

The officer’s report notes the impact on schools and that the development will ‘exacerbate the shortfall’, and the developer will be expected to contribute £130,741.52 towards secondary education and £45,500 towards special educational needs provision as part of the S106 agreement.

With regard to the potential impact on healthcare provision, the officer’s report states: “The NHS has stated that both (Oaklands and Water’s Edge) practices are ‘at capacity’ and that expansion of the existing buildings is being considered.”

To mitigate the impact of this development a contribution of £62,252 is required from the developer.

Local residents who have objected to the development listed more than 40 reasons why they believe it should not go ahead.

These include concerns over the impact on traffic safety, congestion, disturbance and pollution and fears the access is not adequate and has limited visibility.

The application is for 52 homes which would be made up of four one-bedroom properties, 21 two-bed, 19 three-bed and eight four-bed houses.

All dwellings would be two storeys high, including the apartments, and the scheme would include 30 per cent affordable housing, which totals 16 properties.

Cheshire East’s planning officer says the principle of development is considered to be acceptable.

The officer says the design is acceptable, the scheme will not have a detrimental impact upon residential amenity and it would have neutral impact upon the setting of the adjacent conservation area.

The proposed access points and the traffic impact are also considered to be acceptable.

“The development complies with the development plan as a whole and is recommended for approval,” states the officer.

The recommendation for approval is subject to conditions and S106 agreements.

The southern planning committee meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 15, at 10am at Crewe Municipal Buildings.