Insightful and considered planning

maximising project value and minimising risk

52 Canalside Dwellings Approved in Middlewich, Cheshire

Working closely with Anwyl Land, Hourigan Planning recently secured a resolution to approve a 52-unit scheme at Cheshire East Council’s Southern Area Planning Committee.  The site comprises two parcels of land either side of Croxton Lane in Middlewich being bound to the north by the Trent and Mersey Canal.  Whilst the site is allocated in the Local Plan for residential development, there were a number of technical matters which still needed careful attention to enable the Council’s Officers to recommend full planning permission be granted.

The layout of the new homes needed to reflect the edge of town character and the adjoining Canal, which is a Conservation Area, as well as incorporating the route of an existing public footpath within a comprehensive soft landscaping scheme.

The development will deliver a mix of size of units ranging from one bedroomed apartments to five bedroomed detached houses, and includes 16 affordable homes. The development will also deliver additional footways to connect into the existing system, a brand-new pedestrian (zebra) crossing point across Croxton Lane, and the relocation of the 30mph speed limit to a location in advance of the canal bridge helping to reduce speeds prior to the residential area.

Key things Hourigan Planning worked to deliver as part of the scheme with the client and architect APD (http://astlepd.co.uk/) were:

  1. Locally distinctive housetypes with a character-led approach to design across the two parcels of land.
  2. Retention of established hedgerows and trees surrounding the perimeter of both parcels of land alongside significant additional planting of trees, shrubs and grassland areas throughout the site.
  3. Houses that are fully compliant with adopted Local Plan policy and the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS).
  4. Financial contributions to local infrastructure, and to deliver the mitigation associated with the identified net loss in Biodiversity Net Gain.
  5. Making a sound argument that there was no justification for the Applicant to make any financial contribution to upgrading the canal towpath.

One of the principal matters which Members of Cheshire East Council Planning Committee were keen to ensure, was that residents of the new development would not be affected by the proximity of the site to an adjoining former landfill site. It was therefore key to provide evidence that site investigations had taken place before the application was determined, and that the Applicant would be accepting of conditions to require further investigative work before development commences.

After appearing at the Southern Area Planning Committee, Associate Director Beverley Moss said ‘I’m really pleased that with full Officers’ support we were able to come away with a positive result for a great development in Cheshire. The Members of the Committee quite rightly were keen to make sure the development would be of the highest quality, and I believe the scheme delivers just that. We’ve been working with the Council since 2017 to get the site allocated in the Council’s Development Plan, so it’s really pleasing to see all that hard work come to fruition’.

Work is underway to finalise the S106 legal agreement following which full planning permission will be granted.

Back to news

WE’RE HIRING

Are you seeking a new challenge?  We are looking for the right candidates from Graduate level up to Principal Planner...
Read More