PROPOSALS to build 900 homes on a golf course in Crewe have been rejected.

On Wednesday, August 24, Cheshire East Council’s Strategic Planning Board unanimously rejected Haddon Property Developments Ltd’s [HPDL] proposals for the Gorstyhill Golf Course site, which is on the outskirts of Crewe.

The housing proposals were shown to residents shortly before it was announced that the company – which has owned the site since 2011 – would close the course in Easter 2013.

Residents in Wychwood Village and the neighbouring communities then lodged one of the highest numbers of objections ever received by CEC. There are currently 326 homes on the site.

Andy Bailey, Wychwood Community Group vice chairman, made the case for refusing the applications on behalf of residents at the latest meeting.

Trevor Sandry, chairman of Wychwood Community Group, said: “We all understand that homes have to be built and the council is trying to make provision in a sensible and logical way.

“We completely support them in this.

“Haddon’s intention of turning what was a popular recreational facility into a monstrously large housing development is unacceptable to everyone.”

HPDL had applied for discharge of the legally binding restrictive Section 106 clause, which prevents further building on both sites.

However, on August 25, the council also refused this application stating the Section 106 could neither be discharged nor amended.

Mr Sandry said: “We put a strong case to the Strategic Planning Board for refusing the planning application and are absolutely delighted that both decisions made this week by the Council have been in our favour.

“We greatly value their support and that of both Weston and Basford Parish councils.”

Despite this latest triumph, Mr Sandry said the group are a ‘long way from winning the war’.

HPDL recently appealed to the Secretary of State to institute a public inquiry, which will include a visit from the Planning Inspectorate on a date yet to be advised.

The Wychwood Community Group’s fight against the proposals is supported by Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich.

Mr Timpson said: "We look forward to the outcome of the next decision by the Planning Inspectorate and are quite prepared to take the matter further if required."