A further 59 houses could be built on land on the outskirts of Congleton if two planning applications are granted approval.

Mr and Mrs Richardson have submitted an outline application for the demolition of all existing buildings and structures and the erection of up to 50 dwellings at Mount Pleasant Farm, on Giantswood Lane, Congleton.

The site measures 2.3 hectares which consists of a residential dwelling and associated land bordered by agricultural fields to the north, south and west and Giantswood Lane to the east.

The whole site forms part of the wider Congleton Business Park Extension within the Cheshire East local plan strategy. The site is identified for residential development as part of this allocation.

This local plan strategy is a major residential-led, mixed-use development to the north of Congleton that seeks to deliver approximately 625 new homes and 13 hectares of employment land that links directly with the Congleton Link Road.

Vehicular access to the proposed site is currently gained from Giantswood Lane. As part of the proposed redevelopment, a new vehicular access would be created in a similar location to the existing one.

However, the new access would be formalised for a "bespoke" residential access road and comprise a priority-controlled junction with a six-metre-wide road, two-metre-wide footways and 10 metre junction radii.

Pedestrian access would be gained from Giantswood Lane via the vehicular access point. The existing public right of way running through the site would be "maintained and enhanced".

A new pedestrian and cycle 'greenway' would be provided along the site's southern boundary, which would provide "sustainable connections" to the wider Congleton Business Park Extension allocation.

In addition, a large area of open space is proposed around the site's access, which will include a small, landscaped area of open space (Local Area of Play) designed for young children.

An LAP should be provided on new developments of 10 or more houses.

The application has already received more than 120 objections from local residents, one of which was Congleton MP Fiona Bruce.

In her submitted letter of objection to Cheshire East, Mrs Bruce said: "I would like to bring to your attention the very strong feelings of local residents living in the vicinity who oppose this application.

"Giantswood Lane is a residential country lane with no footpaths beyond the 40mph zone. The lane is narrow in many places and entering or leaving Giantswood Lane from/to Rood Hill is already hazardous.

"If this development is permitted this will only be exacerbated. In view of the very strong feelings of residents I would be most grateful if you would record my personal objections to the proposal."

The last date for submitting comments on the application which can be accessed here is tomorrow (18th February).

According to Cheshire East's planning portal, the application will be determined by the borough's Strategic Planning Board on 24th March.

However, an outline application to erect up to nine detached houses at Sandy Lane Farm, also on Giantswood Lane, utilising the existing road infrastructure has been submitted by Mr Kirkham.

The site lies within the boundary of the North Congleton Masterplan which forms part of Cheshire East's Local Plan, but it has not been allocated for any specific use.

In the plans, no new road infrastructure is proposed apart from "improving the width and surface of the existing driveway".

A previous application on the site was refused permission in January 2020.

This was because it was deemed that the site's "isolated location" and "lack of a pedestrian linkage to Giantswood Lane" would result in an "undesirable walking environment" and would likely result in a "car dependant development".

It was also noted on the previous application that the access road layout would result in "excessive speeds of vehicles which would provide an unsafe pedestrian environment".

In a report submitted alongside the latest application, it stated: "These concerns appear to overlook the fact that this site adjoins the site allocated for housing as part of the Congleton Business Park Extension and, as such will integrate with both the existing and proposed footpath and highway links which serve that development.

"There is separate, segregated footpath provision along the length of the access road so there will be a completely safe pedestrian environment.

"The entrance from the existing driveway onto Giantswood Lane already benefits form good visibility, but the application provides for further improvement to the visibility of oncoming, nearside traffic by the removal of roadside vegetation on land in the ownership of the applicant."

This application has also received over 100 objections from local groups, residents and councillors.

Cheshire East has set 24th February as the decision target date for the application, which will be determined through delegated powers.