Plans submitted for up to 2,100 homes near Leighton Hospital in Crewe
A major outline planning application has been lodged for up to 2,100 homes on countryside near Leighton Hospital, alongside employment space, shops, health services and land for a
By Nantwich News
Plans have been submitted for up to 2,100 homes on open countryside near Leighton Hospital on the outskirts of Crewe.
Cheshire Fresh Ltd is seeking outline planning permission for the development on land at Red Hall Farm, off Middlewich Road.
The 113-hectare site is largely agricultural land and sits across Middlewich Road from Leighton Hospital on the northern edge of Crewe.
If approved, the development could provide up to 2,100 homes, with 30% proposed as affordable housing.
The scheme also includes employment land, retail and health services, space for a local centre, a site for a primary school and areas of public open space.
Existing buildings on the site would be demolished as part of the proposals.
A planning statement prepared by Spawforths on behalf of Cheshire Fresh Ltd acknowledges that the land is currently designated as unallocated open countryside.
However, the applicant argues that the site represents the “most logical and sustainable location” for the expansion of Crewe.
According to the planning statement, the land is outside both the Green Belt and any designated green gap.
The applicant also says the site is not subject to significant landscape, ecological or heritage constraints and is not considered to be at risk of flooding.
Most of the 113-hectare site is currently arable farmland, which the planning statement describes as predominantly subgrade 3b agricultural land.
The applicant says the development would help meet housing demand while providing new employment space close to major employers and services.
Leighton Hospital and Bentley Motors are highlighted in the planning documents as important employment locations close to the proposed development.
The statement also points to the site’s transport connections, including direct links to the A530 and access towards the Shavington Bypass, A534, A500 and M6.
It says the surrounding highway network has already benefited from improvements delivered as part of the North West Crewe Package.
The plans remain at the outline application stage, meaning Cheshire East Council has not yet granted permission for the development.
If outline permission is eventually approved, more detailed proposals would still be required before construction could proceed.
The application is registered under reference 26/2711/OUT and can be viewed through Cheshire East Council’s planning portal.
The current deadline for submitting comments is September 9.