More than 1,000 people have voiced their opposition to plans for a 325-home development on open countryside at Sandbach Heath. Bloor Homes has proposed the construction of the dwellings, along with a community park, on a 19.28-hectare stretch of open countryside/agricultural land nestled between Manor Road and the A533, The Hill.
The objectors have signed an online petition urging Cheshire East Council to 'reject this application outright'.
The petition, orchestrated by Sandbach Vs Overdevelopment, says: "This development will have a huge impact on our town and the surrounding areas.
"It will be a detrimental change to all residents of Sandbach and the surrounding towns and villages.
"It would irreversibly alter the landscape of Sandbach and harm its infrastructure significantly."
The says the development could also mean the irreversible loss of productive farmland for milk and crop production and could harm biodiversity, and the loss of landscape and visual effect as well as green open spaces. It also says it could cause issues on highways issues and have a detrimental impact on already strained services like doctors, dentists, schools and social care.
Additionally, objectors fear the development could result in the loss of a natural green barrier between the Wheelock bypass and existing homes.
The Bloor proposal, which will be determined by Cheshire East's strategic planning board at a future date, is an outline application with all matters reserved except access.
According to a planning statement submitted by Pegasus on behalf of the applicant: "The proposals will comprise both market and affordable dwellings, providing a range of homes of size and tenure to address the varied needs of Cheshire East."
The developer acknowledges that the site is in open countryside and outside defined settlement boundaries, contradicting local plan strategy policies. However, the submission states: "The Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy was adopted in 2017 and this plan is now more than five years old."
The developer argues that the adopted strategic policies within this plan are therefore out of date.
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