AN exhibition showing The Crown Estate’s north west Knutsford ‘masterplan’ drew in 300 people over the course of two days.

Developers behind the plans for 250 homes and a business park delivering 1,000 jobs spoke to members of the public at the Curzon on Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21.

Answering questions and outlining the concept – which is spread over two sites in Northwich Road and Mancheser Road – The Crown Estate said it was pleased with the response and will take on board all consultation comments.

Steve Melligan, strategic land portfolio manager for The Crown Estate, said: “We were pleased with how well-attended the exhibitions were. We believe it’s important to give residents the chance to meet us face-to-face, ask questions about the plans and leave their feedback.

“For anyone who wasn’t able to attend, we have made the exhibitions boards available to download at northwestknutsford.co.uk. Residents can also leave their feedback via the website and we would invite people to do so before Friday, February 10.

“Over the coming weeks and months we’ll be looking at all the feedback we’ve received and giving it careful consideration as we continue to develop the proposals ahead of submitting planning applications later this year.”

Knutsford Guardian:

The Northwich Road site

As well as the development’s timescale, questions covered school places and the infrastructure surrounding the development, with The Crown Estate advising that financial contributions would be put in place for such matters.

After the feedback window has closed, The Crown Estate will look to lodge two separate planning applications for the two current green belt sites, which will feature a proportion of affordable homes.

Around 175 homes are proposed on the Northwich Road site, along with a range of open spaces and new allotments to join onto the existing Warren Avenue row.

The southern section of the Manchester Road site will accommodate around 75 homes, sitting alongside properties in Freshfields and Tabley Close.

To the north, a ‘high quality’ business park will have the potential to deliver employment space for 1,000 jobs. Developers say the business park will be earmarked for office use.

Knutsford Guardian:

The Manchester Road site

Both sites will be accessed by new roundabouts, and create new walking and cycling routes. While The Crown Estate’s site sits to the west of Manchester Road, Tatton Estate also plans to build on the east.

Good access by bus, bike and foot is listed as making the site an ‘opportunity’ for the town, along with the sites proximity to schools and its potential to calm Manchester Road traffic.

The masterplan also gives consideration to the impacted on nearby Listed buildings, as well as the ‘transition between the rural and suburban character’ and a risk of surface water flooding in areas.

The Crown Estate indicates that the masterplans could be finalised by the end of February, with planning applications submitted in spring. It is anticipated work could start next year.