Macclesfield: almost 300 new homes will be built at a historic country house.

Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for homes to be built within a historic walled and kitchen garden site despite claims from one councillor 'we could do better'.

Outline approval was granted for 275 homes on Alderley Park in 2015 and the 50 homes discussed at Wednesday's (September 1) meeting of the northern planning committee were accounted for in the originally approved scheme.

But objectors were opposed to the design and layout of the latest application in the southern campus area of Alderley Park, which will see 17 homes built within the historic walled garden and 33 on the kitchen garden plot.

The 18th century listed wall will be retained.

Nether Alderley Parish councillor Jenny Shufflebottom told Wednesday's meeting the parish council had asked for the three-story house types to be removed so as not to dominate the site.

"This parcel of land is unique and it deserves sensitivity and respect when being developed. As a parish council we believe this can be achieved within this historic listed wall," said Cllr Shufflebottom.

"We also understand that, for developers, it's important to financially maximise their investment. But in a special unique parcel of land like this, within Nether Alderley, with such historic value, we feel they need to appreciate the long-term architecture, and not just the financial gain."

John Groves, planning consultant representing the residents, said other parts of the Alderley Park site had been an example of how heritage regeneration can be done well – but stressed this site was unique.

"The walled garden, the kitchen garden, is an entirely different context relating to noted heritage assets and this development hasn't taken proper account to that," said Mr Groves.

"We are concerned about the density and scale of development, and I think your own [council] conservation officer somewhere says that this is a really good effort by the developer, but they are driven by their commercial aspirations for the site as a medium sized multiple house builder, and that is something different to what should be aspired to for the site."

The committee was also told there were objections relating to the lack of parking spaces.

Knutsford councillor Tony Dean (Con) said he was convinced, from what had been said by the council's officer and the applicant, that everything had been done as far as possible to come up with the best proposal relating to design.

Cllr Nick Mannion (Macclesfield West and Ivy, Lab) agreed.

"I feel like the design is sensitive, it's also confident," he said. "And it recognises some of the challenges of developing this sensitive location."

Cllr Mannion said he was disappointed that the affordable housing contributions had only been 15% but this had been agreed as part of the 2015 agreement.

The committee had been told the life sciences affordable housing scheme agreed six years ago ensured that affordable homes would be for the key workers employed within the park in the life sciences sector.

Cllr Paul Findlow (Prestbury, Con) wasn't happy with the scheme.

"I think something better is capable of being produced here," said Cllr Findlow.

He referred to the historic issues at stake and said: "You can only undermine these things, if not destroy them, once.

"So, I think there's a serious issue to be addressed here, as to whether or not we could do better. I'm convinced we could do better."

Cllr Mannion moved the officer's recommendation that the application be approved and this was seconded by Cllr Dean.

The application was approved by eight votes to four.

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