Plans for 22 affordable homes in Congleton have been recommended for refusal.

Stonebond Properties has applied for full planning permission to build the dwellings on land at Broadhurst Lane.

The scheme also includes improvements at the Broadhurst Lane junction with the Clayton Bypass, estate roads, car parking and landscaping.

Cheshire East planners consider the site to be sustainably located.

An officer's report to next week's meeting of the southern planning committee states: "The proposal would provide 100 per cent affordable dwellings which would assist the council in their housing land and affordable housing delivery."

It adds small sites can be built out very quickly, there would be economic benefits through the construction and occupation of the proposed development and social benefits in terms of the proposed affordable housing provision.

But the report then states: "The proposal does not provide safe and suitable means of access and would result in severe highways safety concerns."

It says the affordable units provide only intermediate shared ownership affordable housing, when there is a clear housing need and policy requirement to provide five social or affordable rental properties in the development.

advertisement

There is also insufficient information with regard to the full ecological impacts associated with the proposal and a lack of information about drainage.

Congleton Town Council has objected on several grounds including highways, flooding concerns and overdevelopment of the site.

Eighteen letters were sent by residents objecting to the original proposal, which was initially for 30 homes, and four have objected to the revised scheme.

One letter was sent in the support of the 100 per cent affordable housing proposal.

The application will be considered by the southern planning committee on Wednesday, April 1, at Delamere House, Crewe.

The meeting starts at 10am.