Chelford Road housing plans deferred

Following three hours of discussion, a decision on plans to introduce 216 homes at Chelford Road was deferred by Cheshire East’s strategic planning board.

Although approval was recommended – and outline consent is in place for up to 232 homes at Chelford Road – a site close to Broken Cross in Henbury, the reserved matters application looked far from a foregone conclusion for applicants, Redrow North West and Jones Homes.

Objections had come in from Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Henbury Parish Council and Macclesfield Town Council, along with local MP David Rutley and from 54 local addresses.

At the meeting, Cllr Nick Mannion, in his capacity as a ward councillor, led the calls for deferral, raising concerns over drainage and flooding, education and most significantly on air quality, stating that Broken Cross is currently an air quality management area due to high levels of emissions.

Speaking on behalf of the project, Asteer’s Jon Suckley spelled out the scheme’s benefits and the measures taken to mitigate impact, such as the full quota of affordable housing, a new roundabout, quality open space and a buffer zone.

Regardless, more detail was demanded covering a range of matters. Those specified by chair Cllr Mike Hunter included the imposition of a 30mph speed limit, biodiversity net gain, drainage and flooding and the buffer zone with Hill Top Farm.

The application reference numbers are 19/5582M for Chelford Road.