WORK on Redrow’s 190-home development off Northwich Road could begin in earnest in April.

Enabling works already being carried out near the access point in Northwich Road – near the War Memorial Cottage Hospital – is set to complete this week.

This will pave the way for developers to start constructing a new four-exit roundabout in April, linking Northwich Road with the new development to the north and Sudlow Lane to the south.

With outline planning permission secured back in 2018, housebuilder Redrow has now seen the finer details of the scheme approved meaning work can commence.

The approval of the ‘reserved matters’ by Cheshire East Council means that a standalone application for the roundabout is no longer needed and has been withdrawn.

Paul Sinclair, technical director at Redrow Homes North West said: “The stand-alone planning application for the roundabout was originally made to enable us to start work on the access prior to obtaining reserved matters consent for the full development.

“As we’ve now reached agreement with the local authority and have detailed consent for both the homes and the access, the roundabout application became redundant and was withdrawn.

Knutsford Guardian:

“We are currently concluding legal matters on the Section 278 highways agreement as well as in discussion with the council about arranging road space and utility diversions, with the intention to commence work on the new junction in April for a period of four to five months. During this period we will also begin work within the site to start creating our development of 190 new homes.

“We have in the meantime been carrying out some enabling works that have required temporary traffic signals on Northwich Road. This initial work will complete next week.”

The withdrawn roundabout proposal had received objections – including from Knutsford Town Council members who voiced safety concerns.

Its planning committee had expressed a desire to see a filter lane for traffic turning right out of the new development, towards the M6.

Councillors said: “The design of the access to the roundabout from the new estate is such that it is likely to result in traffic turning right at the roundabout seeking to cut past queuing traffic, resulting in a risk to pedestrians and that this is likely to result in a requirement it be redesigned reducing the verge/pavement widths.

“The council considers the roundabout should be redesigned to allow a filter lane for traffic turning right from the new estate.”

Despite the council’s objections – alongside residents who were concerned about reduced access to Sudlow Lane during construction – Cheshire East Council’s highways department had given roundabout plans their backing.

The planning consultation responses said: “The design of roundabout has been subject to design and safety check as part of the section 278 agreement to deliver the roundabout works.

“The highway details submitted in this application is identical to the design package already submitted and there are no highway objections raised.”