REDROW has been made to wait again for a decision over plans for 190 homes in Knutsford after councillors felt the scheme was still not good enough.

Cheshire East Council has already given permission for the development off Northwich Road to take place, as one of three major new schemes in the north of Knutsford earmarked in the local plan.

But at August’s strategic planning board meeting, members deferred making on decision on Redrow’s designs for the scheme so they could be improved.

And on Wednesday, the committee agreed there was more work to be done before unanimously voting to defer the scheme for a second time.

Paul Sinclair, representing Redrow, insisted the developer had worked hard to make the scheme unique and insisted that ‘you won’t see these houses anywhere else’.

“You asked us not just to comply with CEC standards but to exceed them,” he said.

“We urge members to recognise the efforts that have been made by Redrow to improve this exemplar scheme.”

Following the last meeting, Redrow met with Knutsford residents to discuss how it could improve the scheme at a meeting on September 18

It then amended its plans to include a new lake feature at the estate’s entrance, extra infrastructure for cyclists, solar panels on 25 homes, the inclusion of smaller, two-bedroom properties for the open market, and the scattering of some affordable homes across the site.

Yet Cllr Quentin Abel, independent member for Knutsford, suggested the site has ‘all the makings’ to become even more environmentally friendly – and called on the committee to defer the plans again so more work could be done.

Knutsford Guardian:

“The bottom line is we have 190 new gas boilers going to an area where previously there not any,” he said.

“There is an opportunity when you build to do things that are a bit further out of the box than one might [otherwise] do.”

Cllr James McCulloch, Knutsford Town Council member, told the board that its original concerns over design, the inclusion of only two bungalows and a lack of infrastructure still stood – while the town council felt it had not been consulted fully by Redrow on the amended plans.

Concerns on design were echoed by Brian Chaplin, representing residents’ groups, who insisted there had been a ‘fundamental misinterpretation’ by Redrow of the town’s design guide.

He added: “I’m sure the housing will be absolutely splendid, but is this what we – Knutsford – and you – CEC – want?”

Knutsford resident Debbie Jamison also raised concern over a lack of drainage at the site’s sports pitch, although Mr Sinclair said that could be looked at.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner, Conservative CEC member for Knutsford, grilled Mr Sinclair over his plans – and insisted he wanted to see them become a ‘truly award-winning scheme’ by deferring them again.

Opening the debate, he said: “I am not pleased with the direction of travel with this application. I think that opportunities have been lost.

Knutsford Guardian:

“I am sure that any architect would be pleased to have the opportunity to design a house that has not been designed elsewhere, looking at the surrounding architecture, of which Knutsford has a plethora.

“I am not suggesting that all 190 houses need to be individually bespoke houses but I do expect the seven or eight houses that show the entrance to Knutsford are individually created.”

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Cllr Ashley Farrall, Labour, added: “I just want to make a plea to the developer – please consult with the local community.

“Don’t have this sort of view of the community trying to stop new development. The local community is a big asset for you to make a better development in the area.”