TATTON Estate has responded to opposition to its Bluebell Village plans by making major changes to the scheme.

Land is earmarked off Manchester Road, Knutsford, for up to 300 homes and a village centre with local shops and facilities, including space for GPs and dentists.

The scheme has faced opposition from Knutsford Town Council and Knutsford FC, and Tatton Estate has amended its proposals ‘following feedback from the local community’.

The town council had said there was inadequate detail to consider the appropriateness of the access, there was insufficient detail about additional non-residential uses and the application was premature.

Knutsford FC had voiced its concern about the impact of the development on the club, which is off Manchester Road.

An estate spokesman said: “The Tatton Estate submitted an initial planning application for the new neighbourhood in summer 2018.

“However, following conversations with Cheshire East Council, Knutsford Town Council, Sport England and neighbouring sports clubs, several important amendments to the scheme have been made.

“Knutsford Football Club and Knutsford Sports Club have now been excluded from the development boundary to avoid any confusion in relation to the continuing operation of these facilities.

“Tatton Estate has also offered the club a 30-year lease at its current location, and will be working with each sporting facility to ensure Section 106 monies from the development remain in the locality.

“A provision of a new sports pitch, on site or adjacent to the site, is also proposed to serve existing and new residents.

“Safeguards have been added to ensure the new homes do not interfere with the clubs and residents are not disturbed when the pitches are in use.

“The size of the local shopping facility will also be smaller, and will no longer have permission for ancillary office space.

“The onsite provision could include a convenience store, cafe/restaurant, professional services, and a takeaway within walking distance of new homes to avoid unnecessary car journeys.

“There will also be provision for a boutique hotel, community hall and GP/dentist surgery.

“The Tatton Estate is also working alongside the town council to ensure the proposals enhance and complement the existing High Street offer.

“A new condition has also been proposed which will restrict any development on the informal and proposed open space areas, and a maximum cap of 275 dwellings on the site or 300 if the hotel is not delivered.

“Thirty per cent of the homes will be classed as affordable for first-time buyers and those unable to get onto the housing ladder.

“The development will complement and be supported by £700 million of wider ongoing investment in Cheshire, including upgrades to roads in Knutsford, the M6, M56 and A556 to deliver very significant extra road capacity.

“The Tatton Estate also continues to lobby hard for investment into the Knutsford railway provision and for increased capacity on the mid-Cheshire line on behalf of residents.

“The changes come as part of Tatton Estate’s ongoing commitment to working with the council and local community to deliver a scheme that offers genuine benefits to the town.”

The deadline for submitting comments on the application - 18/3672M, which can be viewed on Cheshire East Council’s planning portal – is February 7, with a decision target date of March 1.