Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for a controversial 216-home scheme in Macclesfield.

Outline permission for a development of up to 232 homes was granted for the site south off Chelford Road in 2019.

Councillors at last week's meeting of the strategic planning board (SPB) were considering the reserved matters application from Jones Homes and Redrow which deals with the design, layout and landscaping.

The application was deferred by the SPB in October because councillors were concerned about the impact on nearby Hilltop Farm.

The council's officers told Wednesday's meeting at Macclesfield Town Hall that they considered these matters were resolved – and some were civil matters and not planning issues. One matter was later added as a condition to the approval.

Much of the debate regarding the proposed development centred around a cycleway and footpath into Pexhill Road and a planned zebra crossing on Gawsworth Road – the crossing is being provided by a different developer, Bellway, which is developing a nearby piece of land.

Ward councillor Nick Mannion (Lab) urged the committee to make it a condition that the footpath and cycleway should be constructed prior to the first house being occupied 'as a priority'.

With regard to the Gawsworth Road pedestrian crossing, Cllr Mannion said there was still 'confusion and uncertainty' as to its precise location and requested that Bellway and highways officers liaise with ward members on this matter 'before we risk building the wrong crossing in the wrong place'.

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con) said she accepted a lot of concerns regarding Hilltop Farm were matters of civil law rather than planning policy – but she wanted some assurances given by the developer recorded in the minutes.

She proposed the application be approved with additional conditions including the footpath and cycleway within the site being made ready before first occupation, secure cycle storage for the one bedroom properties and a liaison group set up to discuss the details of the planned zebra crossing.

Cllr Craig Browne (Ind) said he was happy with most of the scheme.

"The housing mix is good, we've had confirmation that the separation distances have been met, the affordability requirement is also met, the open space requirement is exceeded," said the Alderley Edge councillor.

He said his only concern was delegating landscaping details to officers, but he was assured this was not unusual because it often involved technical issues.

Congleton councillor Suzie Akers Smith (Ind) asked if a 20mph speed limit could be imposed throughout the development.

Highways officer Neil Jones said he would expect all side roads in this application to be 20mph and the main spine road would be higher than that – probably 30mph.

The proposal to approve the application, subject to conditions, was seconded by Nantwich councillor Peter Groves (Con) and the scheme was given the go-ahead with six councillors voting in favour, one against and three abstaining.

See Also: Chocolate box donation drive for key workers this Christmas

Hosting an event in Macclesfield? Advertise it for FREE on our What's On section. 

Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top five Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?

Simply enter your email address on this link.

Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.