Controversial plans to build 103 homes on fields in the open countryside at Chelford have been recommended for approval.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes want to build the properties, together with public open space and a pedestrian link to Dixon Drive, on safeguarded land east of Chelford Station.

Access would be off Knutsford Road.

Chelford Parish Council has objected, citing numerous reasons why the scheme should be refused.

These include concerns the proposal:

• is premature and contrary to local plan policy on safeguarded land
• fails to provide adequate infrastructure for the scale of development
• creates significant highway safety, flooding, biodiversity, and landscape harms
• does not deliver a sustainable or well‑serviced community
• prioritises housing numbers over community needs

Map of the proposed development area (Credit: Google Maps)

The council has also received objections from about 65 residents and one from MP Esther McVey.

These objections include:

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• concerns relating to highways, in particular they say the site access onto Knutsford Road (A537) is 'unsafe', positioned between a blind railway bridge and a bend adjacent to the village hall;
• the impact on Chelford Primary School, which residents say is full;
• loss of high‑quality grade two agricultural land;
• the impact on Chelford Surgery, which residents says is at capacity, with no physical space for further expansion.

The council's planning officers are recommending Cheshire East's strategic planning board approves the application next week.

A report to that meeting states: "The scheme will provide much-needed housing, including affordable properties, at a time when the council does not have a five-year land supply.

"The loss of open countryside is balanced against the benefits of providing much-needed housing on the edge of one the borough's local service centres, and the fact that use would be made of land that has already been identified as suitable for meeting the borough's longer term housing needs by reason of it being safeguarded and removed from the green belt."

The application site off Knutsford Road at Chelford (Credit: Google Maps)

Regarding highways concerns, the report states: "A single point of access is acceptable to serve the level of development proposed.

"There is also a right turn lane provided to minimise delays on Knutsford Road."

It says the level of trip generation arising in peak hours is modest and does not cause any concerns on capacity grounds.

And it adds: "The provision of a new pedestrian/cycle link as part of this application is important and provides an alternative link to Dixon Drive."

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The application is recommended for approval, subject to the confirmation of a Natural England licence, conditions and various financial contributions including towards health, education and sports provision.

The strategic planning board meeting takes place at Crewe Municipal Buildings at 10.30am on Wednesday, January 28.