A £100 MILLION, 360-home development in Mobberley has been blocked by Cheshire East Council.

Today, LPC Living’s scheme to build a new HQ for firm HARMANS along with 360 new homes on Ilford Way was presented to Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board, with a recommendation for approval.

The public gallery was packed with Mobberley residents, councillors and business owners eager to hear the outcome.

Members heard from a variety of public speakers, including Gareth Wilson from Residents Against Mobberley Sprawl (RAMS), Clr Maurice Boden from Mobberley Parish Council, Clr Jamie McCrae, farmer Ian Norbury, and resident Jim Shepherd, all of whom objected to the application.

Peter Elton, managing director at HARMAN Technology, and Jeremy Hinds, a retail planning specialist from Savills, spoke in support of the application.

After the matter was discussed for more than two and a half hours, members decided to reject the application on the grounds that it did not meet the affordable housing quota, that the noise generated from aircraft would have an adverse affect on potential residents, and that it would it would compromise the character of the village.

Eight members voted to reject the application, four members voted to approve, and one member abstained.

Speaking about today’s outcome, Simon Ashdown, director at LPC Living, said: “This scheme would have acted as a catalyst for Cheshire East to deliver a significant number of much-needed homes on a Brownfield site and retain a prestigious manufacturing business within the borough.

“While we’re disappointed by this decision we will take on board the planning committee’s feedback and look at how the masterplan can be amended to better meet the needs of Mobberley whilst still addressing the requirement of our tenant to save on costs, modernise and become more sustainable for the future.”

A more detailed report of the meeting will follow.