HANDFORTH is set to welcome a new park and ride site, as Cheshire East officers recommended a planning application be approved.

The application, which would add 101 new parking spaces to the 14 available off Station Road, has been brought forward by CEC-owned development firm Engine of the North.

It says the 115-space car park will provide dedicated parking facilities for the residents of the new 1,500-home Handforth Garden Village.

In a pre-meeting report to councillors, officers said: “This outline application to provide a park and ride facility for Handforth, is considered to be acceptable in principle, fully supported by strategic policies in the Local Plan, and in policies in the Handforth neighbourhood Plan. 

“The proposal would provide additional parking for Handforth, as well as providing dedicated parking for residents of the Garden Village, together with a bus turning circle and additional facility including cycle parking.

“While some trees are proposed to be removed, their loss is not considered to be significant, and can be adequately mitigated by outline proposals for extensive landscaping around the site, which would include improved boundary treatment.

“The application is therefore recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

As well as the car park, developers say a bus turning circle and shelter, 36 secure cycle lockers, and ‘wayfinding’ to the adjacent railway station and village centre will be installed.

CEC's northern planning committee will meet online at 10am on Wednesday, January 13 to discuss the plans.