Plans for new Bunbury homes set for approval despite strong opposition
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter Plans to build 18 homes in the open countryside at Bunbury near Nantwich have been recommended for approval despite strong opposition from
By Nantwich News
Plans for 18 new homes in open countryside at Bunbury, near Nantwich, have been recommended for approval despite objections from residents and two parish councils.
Developer Edgefold Homes wants to demolish a house and other buildings on land west of Bunbury Lane and replace them with the new properties.
The site already has planning permission for residential development. That permission was granted on appeal in 2024 for 20 First Homes.
The latest application is for market housing, with 30 per cent of the homes proposed as affordable.
The plans have been called in for consideration by Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee. Ward councillor Becky Posnett said the earlier permission had been granted because of the First Homes exemption.
Bunbury Parish Council has objected to the proposal on several grounds, including concerns about overdevelopment, highway safety and the impact on protected trees. The report also records an objection from another parish council.
The original application was for 20 homes and attracted 95 letters of objection. Issues raised included the narrowing of the road, highway safety, the lack of a housing needs assessment and concerns that the properties would not be affordable.
Revised plans reduced the scheme to 18 dwellings, but 54 objections were submitted. Residents said the reduction would make little difference and raised concerns that the revised layout did not show visibility splays.
A Cheshire East planning officer’s report acknowledges that the site is in open countryside and conflicts with local plan policy. However, it also notes that the council does not currently have a five-year housing land supply and that the site has an existing permission for residential development.
The report says the scheme would bring economic benefits during construction and after the homes were occupied.
Approval is recommended subject to planning conditions and legal agreements. These would include 30 per cent affordable housing, along with financial contributions towards public open space and outdoor sport.
The application is due to be considered at Delamere House in Crewe at 10am on Wednesday, October 21.