Controversial plans for 116 homes in the open countryside at Audlem have been recommended for refusal.

Nearly 350 objections have been sent to Cheshire East Council opposing Muller Property Group's outline application for the development, which includes 35 affordable homes, on land west of Moorsfield Avenue and Tollgate Drive.

Cheshire East planners have recommended the strategic planning board turns down the application next week, saying it would result in very substantial harm in terms of the landscape impact, the harm to the character and appearance of the area and the loss of existing trees.

The council planning officer's report to next week's meeting acknowledges Cheshire East no longer has a five-year housing land supply and that the proposal would contribute towards this and would provide economic benefits.

It says: "The site is sustainably located and there is [access] to the services/facilities available in Audlem including the village centre and a limited bus service.

"The impacts in terms of highways, local infrastructure, ecology, pollution, flood risk, archaeology, and amenity can be mitigated."

The application site for the proposed 116-home development on land off Moorsfield Avenue and Tollgate Drive In Audlem (Photo: Google).

But it continues: "The application site is the subject of substantial level changes on either side, with levels dropping steeply towards the River Weaver and the Shropshire Union Canal.

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"The application does not demonstrate that the topography of the site has been fully considered, and it has not been demonstrated that the proposed development could be accommodated on the site without substantial engineering works/retaining structures which would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area or cause harm to tree cover on the site.

"In addition, the proposal would cause harm to a major wide landscape view from Moorsfield Avenue.

"This would cause very substantial harm."

It adds other harm associated with this development would be the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land which would provide some limited weight against the proposed development.

Audlem Parish Council has 'strongly objected' to the proposal.

Among its many reasons for objections are highways concerns including increased risk to pedestrians; safety concerns over the proximity of the play area to drainage features; claims it is an unsustainable development; the loss of BMV agricultural land and harm to heritage assets and the setting of the Audlem Conservation Area.

Residents' objections include the proposal would result in traffic congestion through the centre of the village and at the junctions of Tollgate Drive/Whitchurch Road and Green Lane/Whitchurch Road.

They say it would have a negative impact upon the character of the village, and the proposed play areas would not be level due to the existing topography and would not be suitable for those with disabilities and would not be safe.

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One letter was sent in support of the development from Audlem St James Primary School.

This stated there is an urgent need for more family housing, especially affordable homes, and the proposal would enable families to live in the village.

The application will be considered by the strategic planning board on Wednesday 27 May, taking place at Crewe Municipal Buildings at 10.30am.

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