A 250-HOME development in Crewe has been recommended to be given the green light by a Cheshire East Council planning officer.


The plans to build the large development in Sydney Road will be put to the council’s Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday, April 20, after Muller property submitted an application for outline planning permission to build the 250 houses.


The application was resubmitted following an application for a 275-home development, which was refused subject to forthcoming appeal in July. 


The application will be discussed at a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee at Crewe Municipal Buildings in Earle Street, and planning case officer Adrian Crowther has produced a report for committee members, recommending the outline permission be approved. 


Mr Crowther said: “The development would provide market and affordable housing to meet an acknowledged shortfall. 


“The proposal would also have some economic benefits in terms of jobs in construction, spending within the construction industry supply chain and spending by future residents in local shops. 


“In terms of traffic generation and congestion the impact on Sydney Road bridge and Crewe Green roundabout is acknowledged and will be addressed through significant Section 106 contributions.”


The planning officer has recommended approval subject to several conditions including 30 per cent of the houses be provided as affordable, the inclusion of a children’s play area, and £1.6million towards the costs of improvements at Sydney Road Bridge and Crewe Green Roundabout. 


One resident submitted an objection letter to the council, saying that the road network in the area would not cope with the increase of traffic.


Christine Hooper, from Pool Lane, said: “Maw Green Lane is a narrow, poorly surfaced lane which has already had its vehicle capacity stretched as evidenced by the extensive use of the grass verges. 


“It is listed as unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. To introduce an access point onto this already overloaded route and expect it to cope with the additional traffic from a development of 500 properties is unrealistic.”


Richard Froud, of Bankfield Avenue, said: “Get it built, you can adjust road networks accordingly or build new roads to accommodate the development.”