178 ‘TIGHTLY PACKED’ NEW HOMES PLANNED FOR TOWN
But residents fear that local amenities won’t cope after ‘explosion in housing’
CONCERNS have been raised over plans to build 178 homes in a town where there has been an ‘explosion’ of new housing developments.
Outline planning permission was granted for the Radnor Green site off Back Lane, Congleton, in 2018.
Now a ‘reserved matters’ application is due to be considered by a Cheshire East Council committee today. It covers details such as the layout, parking, appearance and access arrangements.
Developer Stewart Milne Homes has proposed building a mixture of mewstype and detached properties, along with 18 apartments.
The houses will range from twobedroom homes right through to fivebedroom properties. There will be 31 homes classed as affordable ‘scattered or pepper potted across the site’.
The green field location falls within Somerford Parish Council’s area and is near to another new housing development created by Miller Homes.
Responding on behalf of the parish council, clerk Julie Mason said: “The houses do seem tightly packed.”
She also raised concerns about the proposed properties having ‘no or a very poor view’ and the wider road layout being ‘confusing’.
Her letter claimed some householders would have to make ‘five turnings’ when driving out of their properties before they reached the exit to the development.
A report drawn up for the strategic planning board notes that highways officials have not raised any objections.
But there have been issues flagged up by the council’s ecologist, including drainage ‘outfall’. The local authority said this would be addressed through conditions linked to the outline planning permission.
Other steps proposed include an ‘urban drainage pond’, a landscaped buffer to separate the housing from a nearby commercial site, and areas of public open space. There will also be a footpath and cycleway to access Congleton link road.
The report adds: “Extensive discussions have taken place in relation to urban design and revised plans have now been received that address the majority of the issues raised.”
Councillors are being recommended to approve the application.
But it comes as three objections have also been submitted from people living in nearby roads.
One Back Lane resident said: “We are experiencing flooding in the grounds of our property and are concerned that more development will exacerbate the problem.”
A Chestnut Drive resident added: “Over the last few years, there has been an explosion in housing in Congleton, but absolutely no increase in public services – schools, doctors or dentists.
“The nearest primary school, Black Firs Primary School, is close to capacity. Additional housing is just going to make access to services worse.”