10-year vision for Cheshire ‘urban village’
A NEW “urban village” is set to be built in Cheshire over the next 10 years after developers secured outline planning permission for a 950-home scheme.
Emery Planning made the application, on behalf of applicants Russell Homes and Gladedale Estates, for a 120-acre site at Wincham just outside Northwich.
The application outlines proposals for a mixture of two to five bedroom homes set within landscaped surroundings, with up to 30% allocated as “affordable”.
The wider development will include a village centre with 2,500sq ft of commercial space, which could house shops, a restaurant or pub, some small offices and a community room.
Large areas of green open space, up to 40% of the site, will be opened up, along with walking trails along the Trent and Mersey Canal and Wincham Brook which both pass through the site.
Located south of Chapel Street and East of New Warrington Road, the site is currently a mix of light industrial, storage and logistics businesses, agricultural land, and the home of Witton Albion Football Club.
As part of the project the developers will have to remediate the land, provide pedestrian and cycle links to Lower Wincham and other local amenities, and help to rehouse the football club should it wish to move.
The scheme includes a road layout which will aim to encourage heavy goods vehicles to pass through the development and by-pass Chapel Street, an existing pinch point and concern for local people.
The developers will also make up to £4.28m in payments for local community benefits as part of the Section 106 agreement.
These include £2.2m towards education facilities, £1.6m for roads, footpaths signage and maintenance, and funding for a new canal bridge and towards public transport facilities.
Russell Homes director Daniel Kershaw said: “There is no doubt that there is consumer demand for homes in this location, with its proximity to Northwich, commuter routes and the semi-rural aspect.
“The scheme will also contribute toward the new homes pipeline required of Cheshire West and Chester authority and help support the growth of the local economy.
“We’ve worked closely with the local authority to identify and incorporate elements which would be beneficial to the existing community, such as providing an alternative route for HGVs and improving access to the canal and brook with walking trails and cycle ways.
“We’ve also negotiated a schedule of payments to be made throughout the build which contribute towards local amenities, sports and education facilities, road and transport investment.
“This is a 10-year plan and there is still much work to be done before we see a spade in the ground.
“We will be in discussion with the various different landowners about the timescale for development, and the site will require remediation prior to development.
“The next stage is to draw up detailed plans for the homes and commercial centre for the reserved matters applications, which will have to be determined before any work can begin.”
