New plans will be considered for a retirement complex at Alderley Park after a previous application for a similar but larger scheme was refused a year ago.
Symphony Park Holdings wants to build 139 extra care units in a development ranging from two to six storeys high, in three linked ‘blocks’ at Heatherley Woods.
The development would comprise one, two and three-bedroom homes and also include associated healthcare, wellbeing and amenity facilities.
The application will be considered by Cheshire East’s strategic board on Wednesday (February 28), exactly a year after councillors unanimously refused an application for a single integrated retirement community with 159 extra care units on the site.
That application had been recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers.
They had argued that, despite there being a number of factors counting against the scheme, the balance was tipped in favour of approval because profits from the development were to be ploughed into a new build proposed for the life science sector at Alderley Park.
Councillors had disagreed and refused the application.
Cheshire East’s planners have also recommended this latest proposal be approved.
In a report due to go to next week’s meeting, the case officer states: “Whilst the previous application was finely balanced, changes made to the application and in particular changes to the scale, form and massing of the development, and the provision of a policy compliant contribution to off site affordable housing, has changed that balance.
“There are now no objections from any internal or statutory external consultees.”
The officer adds: “The original policy allocation in the local plan was to support life science development at Alderley Park.
“This development will make an important contribution to that overall policy objective and given the changes, it is therefore recommended for approval.”
But later the report states: “The application confirms that an enhanced land receipt will be delivered from this site…
“A key question however will be whether these funds do actually ‘enable delivery of the life sciences park’.
Both Nether Alderley Parish Council and Overall Alderley Parish Council have lodged numerous objections against the application and argue the 2015 planning permission stated 275 homes maximum on site and this approval would take it to 500.
Overall Alderley Parish Council said: “Overall, the proposed development is considered to be out of character and an unwelcome intrusion into a highly valued rural area.”
Countryside charity CPRE has also objected to the proposal, which is in the green belt, as have several local residents.
The planning officer’s report states some letters have been received in support of the scheme, ‘all setting out the need to invest in Alderley Park to continue its success’.
Supporters have also highlighted ‘the need for this type and quality of accommodation’.
The application, which has been recommended for approval subject to conditions, will be considered by the strategic planning board at 10am on Wednesday, February 28, at Macclesfield Town Hall.
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