Watkin Jones Group is seeking approval to construct an additional 24 residences at a site in Crewe, alongside hundreds of homes that have already been approved.
The group wants to build more homes on Sydney Road's north side. The developer acquired a portion of the Alexandra Gardens site in 2021, and has consent to build 245 houses, 159 of which are marked as affordable, on their slice of the land.
Another owner holds the remaining land, which remains seprate from the current proposal.
The planning statement on Cheshire East's planning portal says the intended project covers 24 house and apartment constructions in the south-eastern segment of the application area, inclusive of parking and communal space provisions.
This renewed plan suggests repurposing a tract previously allocated for 17 larger homes.
A submission by DLP Planning on behalf of Watkin Jones Group argues: "The formerly approved scheme included 17 houses within this portion of the site, however these were four-bedroom properties which have proven to be less desirable to the local housing market."
The fresh bid includes two and three-bedroom homes. This paperwork further notes that the Watkin Jones-controlled section of the wider site could feasibly accommodate up to 275 dwellings—exceeding the number currently sanctioned by 30 in the unfolding scheme.
The document elaborates: "Similarly, the two phases benefit from an allocation [in the local plan] for 525 dwellings, with only 485 dwellings having been granted across the two phases, leaving a balance of 40 dwellings.
"The opportunity for a more efficient layout in key elements of the site can also accommodate further dwellings which are then subject of the proposed full planning application.
"The additional dwellings – 24 dwellings under a full application – do not increase the amount of developed land, and thus there is no reduction in green space."
A significant portion of the WJG site has already seen construction completed, with 159 units being designated as affordable homes and acquired by Plus Dane.
Out of these affordable residences, 128 have been finalised and transferred to the housing association, with the remaining set to follow suit by the end of July this year.
