A DECISION to refuse a planning application for a proposed 880-home development along Crewe’s Green Gap has been upheld by the Secretary of State.

Himor Group proposed to build up to 880 homes on a 108-acre site of mainly agricultural land about 1.5 miles from the centre of Crewe.

Last March, the strategic planning board of Cheshire East Council rejected the proposed Gresty Oaks development on land bounded by Crewe Road, Rope Lane, Gresty Lane and the A500.

Himor appealed on the grounds the council had failed to determine the application within the prescribed period.

However a planning inspector recommended planning permission be refused on grounds relating to ‘intrusions into a Green Gap, loss of countryside, loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and loss of ancient hedgerows’.

The inspector also questioned ‘whether a grant of planning permission for the proposed scheme would unacceptably prejudice the preparation and adoption of the emerging Local Plan, with particular regard to distribution of housing sites and identification of a Green Belt extension’.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for communities and local government, has upheld the recommendation, saying ‘a decision to allow development on the appeal site could reasonably be seen to pre-empt or prejudice the outcome of the Local Plan examination’.

He agreed with Cheshire East Council that growth should not overwhelm the independent character of Crewe, including maintaining a separate identity for its satellite villages.

Welcoming the decision, Cheshire East Council leader Michael Jones said: “This is excellent news and clearly vindicates our continued policy of contesting housing schemes that do not meet with our long-term aspirations for a balanced and sustainable development strategy across the Borough.

“It also sends out a message that, despite claims to the contrary, developers are not in a position to dictate the council’s planning policy simply because we have yet to complete on our strategic Local Plan for the Borough.”

Stan Shreeve, land director at Himor, said the firm are ‘naturally disappointed’ with the outcome of the appeal and will consider their position in due course.

The decision has also been welcomed to Willaston and Rope Ward councillor, Cllr Brian Silvester.

The UKIP councillor, who has campaigned rigorously against the development, said:  “If the application had been successful it would have destroyed the precious Green Gap between Crewe and Shavington, it would have caused traffic chaos and would have been unsustainable.

“What this shows is that a determined campaign by local residents and their Councillors can win the day despite there being no adopted Local Plan and no five-year housing supply being in place.”