A DEVELOPER has appealed against Cheshire East’s refusal to grant permission for up to 225 homes in Knutsford.

Cheshire East’s strategic planning board voted unanimously in December to turn down the controversial application from Dewscope Ltd to build on the ‘treasured nature reserve’ on land east of Longridge.

Hundreds of people have objected to the scheme since it was first submitted in 2021.

Knutsford councillor Peter Coan (Con), speaking as a visiting member at the December planning meeting, had said: “Approving this would make us morally bankrupt.”

The council’s planning officers had recommended the scheme, which included 30 per cent affordable homes, be approved.

But they acknowledged the proposal would result in inappropriate development in the green belt.

This is because a proportion of the application site – a parcel of land to the north-east and another to the south-west – extends beyond the land allocated for development in Cheshire East’s local plan.

A covenant prevents building on a strip of land needed for access, which means access could only be obtained by intruding into the green belt.

On top of that, since the site was allocated in the local plan, Cheshire Wildlife Trust designated it a Local Wildlife Site (LWS).

These factors played a part in the councillors’ decision when they refused the scheme in December.

That refusal was on the grounds it would represent inappropriate development in the green belt as a result of the impact of the access arrangements upon its openness, also resulting in encroachment, and it would have adverse impact on ecology and the LWS.

The planning board also said the proposal would fail to deliver an effective integrated scheme due to the lack of visual and physical connections and accessibility with the existing development on Longridge.

Now the developer has lodged an appeal against the refusal and a public inquiry will be held.

An appeal statement of case submitted by Emery Planning on behalf of Dewscope states: “The appellant considers the proposed site access represents a form of development which is ‘not inappropriate’ in the green belt.”

It continues: “Even if the conclusion is reached that there would be harm to the openness and purposes of the green belt and this harm is attributed substantial weight, the benefits of the proposed development would clearly outweigh any harm to the green belt and any other harm arising from the proposal.”

In terms of integration, the applicant’s document states: “The proposed parameters seek to strike an appropriate balance between integration and retaining existing trees and landscape features, having regard to the views expressed by multiple consultees.”

It adds the details could be agreed at the reserved matters stage of the application.

The appeal statements can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website under the original planning application number, 21/3100M.