Up to nine homes could be built on green belt land at Over Peover near Chelford.

Hassall and Freer have applied to Cheshire East Council for permission in principle for the dwellings on land at Stocks Lane Nurseries.

A planning statement submitted by Arete Rural Planning on behalf of the applicants, says the proposal should not be considered inappropriate development in the green belt because the site falls within the NPPF's (national planning policy framework) definition of grey belt.

It says the site 'makes no strong contribution to the relevant green belt purposes and its limited scale and context mean that the wider function of the green belt would remain intact'.

The planning statement continues: "The council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and there is therefore a clear and pressing unmet need for new housing."

It adds the site is sustainable, benefiting from its proximity to Knutsford and surrounding villages, with varying travel options.

Because the application is for 'permission in principle'(PIP) – the scope for consideration at this first stage of the process is limited to the location, land use and amount of development.

If PIP is granted, the site must receive a grant of technical details consent at the second stage before development can proceed.

The application, number 25/3433/PIP, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

The last date for submitting comments is October 7.