COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a new park and ride site in Handforth.

The outline application came before Cheshire East Council’s (CEC) northern planning committee during its virtual meeting yesterday, Wednesday.

The site will add 101 new parking spaces to the 14 available, off Station Road.

It 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.

Officers had recommended the scheme be approved.

They said the outline application was considered to be acceptable in principle, fully supported by strategic policies in the local plan, as well as policies in the Handforth neighbourhood plan.

Cllr Paul Findlow, Conservative member for Prestbury, said: “I obviously accept there is a great need for this car parking and want it to happen – I’m sure we all do.

“But this is only an outline application, can someone explain the reasoning behind why this is not a full application so you can see all the ramifications.

“In other words, I’m putting the point it seems somewhat premature, desirable as the outcome is, which I’m sure we all want for a proper car park for Handforth station.”

He was told the outline application is supported by a ‘considerable amount’ of information, particularly in relation to highways.

Handforth Parish Council had no objection to the application in principle, however, it strongly objected to the singling of the carriageway over Station Road.

The committee voted on a proposal to defer a decision but it did not gain enough support.

Shortly after, members approved the plans. But they did not approve the singling of the carriageway, which will be ‘revisited’.

The committee also removed condition 11, which stated that prior to the commencement of operation of the park and ride facility, the Handforth railway bridge signals scheme should be implemented and be operational.

The committee wants traffic management proposals to be reconsidered.

Officers will ‘look again’ at this part of the proposal to see what other options there are, with the reserved matters to come back to the committee.