Plans have been submitted for a new housing estate of up to 120 homes in a field in the open countryside at Congleton.

Richborough and Land First Investments Ltd has applied to Cheshire East Council for outline planning permission for the development, which would include public open space and a new access road.

The site is immediately off Sandbach Road to the north-west and bound by a watercourse, Loach Brook, to the east and north-east.

It is not green belt land but is currently located in the open countryside.

A planning statement submitted by Asteer Planning on behalf of the applicant, says: "The site forms a natural and logical extension to the west of Congleton for the provision of up to 120 residential dwellings."

Because the application is in outline form, details of layout and design will be submitted at the later reserved matters stage.

The planning statement says 3.25 hectares (ha) of the 5.5ha site would be used for the dwellings with about 1.62ha for public open space.

"Although the precise housing mix will be determined at reserved matters stage, a policy compliant level of affordable housing is proposed at 30 per cent – up to 36 dwellings – of the total housing mix and will be pepper-potted across the whole site," says the planning document.

It adds: "It is proposed that the principal means of vehicular access into the development will be formed of a priority T-junction with a ghost right turn from Sandbach Road."

At the time of writing, two local residents have objected to the application.

One cited numerous concerns including the impact on Jodrell Bank, highways congestion, pressure on local schools and health care services as well as the effect on existing residents' privacy.

Another included concerns about environmental and ecological harm and the impact on the local character and amenity.

The application, number 25/2500/OUT, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website and the last date for submitting comments is September 24.

The application is due to be determined by the strategic planning board at a date yet to be set.