CHESHIRE East has refused permission for 68 ‘cramped’ affordable homes which would have left the council picking up the tab for infrastructure because the developer couldn’t afford to.
Social housing provider Plus Dane wants to build the mix of flats and houses on land off Linley Road in Alsager.
But Sandbach councillor Laura Crane (Lab) was highly critical of the scheme saying: “It really smacks of squeeze as many houses as possible on to a site because it’s affordable homes for people who don’t have another choice.”
Planning officers had recommended the southern planning committee turn down the application on several grounds, including lack of required contributions, insufficient private amenity space and because of its poor design and layout.
Planning officer Gareth Taylerson told the committee the development would not mitigate the full impacts of the proposal in terms of education and NHS provision and highway improvement – leaving Cheshire East to fund the shortfall.
He also said 44 of the 68 homes proposed had gardens which were too small.
Alsager resident Sue Helliwell spoke against the scheme saying: “This site is much-loved and used by dog walkers.”
She said there was nowhere else locally to mitigate the loss of this open space.
Mrs Helliwell added: “Residents are constantly being informed that Cheshire East is in financial difficulty.
“This proposal would be a burden on our public services and highways in Alsager in terms of education, NHS provision and highways improvement work, with the impact of such being felt by our community as there would be no financial contribution from the developer.”
The applicant’s agent, Louise Leyland, said the site is part of a wider housing allocation in a highly sustainable location.
She told the committee: “Yesterday, in a government statement on housing, it was said we are in the middle of the most acute housing crisis in living memory, with emphasis place on the need for more affordables.
“This scheme would deliver 68 affordable homes.”
She said there were 463 people on housing waiting list in Alsager.
Nantwich councillor Anna Burton (Lab) referred to the number of houses being ‘crammed’ on that space.
“There’s no wheelchair accessibility to most of these properties,” she said.
“We do need more affordable housing, absolutely, but I would have liked it to have more aspirations than this certainly has in terms of gardens, accessibility.”
Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) said “I completely agree with Cllr Crane and Cllr Burton about the size of gardens, about the outside amenity.
“And we’ve got to acknowledge that if developers don’t pay their S106 dues, or what’s required from 106, then the council’s going to have to pay for it.
“The children will require education, for example, and healthcare and the Cheshire East residents are going to be left footing that bill if the developer doesn’t or can’t contribute.”
Cllr John Wray (Brereton, Con) who, at the beginning of the debate, had recommended the committee go against the officer’s recommendation to refuse, later withdrew his move to approve after listening to comments from others.
Cllr Crane moved refusal, as per officers’ recommendations, and this was seconded by Cllr Burton.
Six councillors voted to refuse the scheme and three abstained.
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