Builder’s £1m vow in reply to critics of 400 homes bid
ADEVELOPER has responded to criticism of plans to build more than 400 houses in Macclesfield, saying it will spend an additional £1m in the area.
Bellway is one of the companies behind proposals for homes across three sites to the west of Broken Cross Roundabout, Macclesfield.
Outline planning permission has been given for all of them and now developers are returning with reserved matters applications to agree specific details.
Bellway is involved with the site opposite the Cock Inn, on Chelford Road, and is seeking to increase the number agreed from 135 to 157.
This has led to criticism from residents and councillors.
But a spokesman for Bellway said: “Our applications relate to a site that has been allocated as a ‘strategic site for housing’ in the Cheshire East Local Plan.
“As such the principles for the development of the site have already been approved by Cheshire East and our design proposals are fully compliant with the current planning policy of the local authority.
“The scheme is not just about providing much needed housing, as in addition, Bellway
are committed to undertake improvements to the local public realm and highway network, will enhance existing onsite ecological areas and will contribute over £1m towards sports, recreation, education, and healthcare facilities in Cheshire East.
“As such we see no reason why councillors would not fully support our proposals for a total of 157 new homes in Henbury which will include 47 affordable dwellings for local people in housing need.”
Originally permission was given to Frederic Robinson Ltd for the site but Bellway has now taken over the development.
Concerns over the developments - described as ‘the biggest house build in Macclesfield in a generation’ - include traffic, air quality, loss of open space and pressure on amenities such as school place and GP surgeries.