Controversial plans for 116 homes in the open countryside at Audlem have been unanimously refused by Cheshire East's strategic planning board.

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

The council's planners had recommended councillors reject it because 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.

Officers had concerns about the substantial level changes on either side of the site and said the applicant had not demonstrated the proposed development could be accommodated without substantial engineering works.

The applicant's agent, Amy Henson, told Wednesday's (May 27) meeting there had been a lack of contact from the council planners, a claim senior planning officer Daniel Evans said was 'disingenuous',

Nearly 350 objections were sent to Cheshire East opposing Muller Property Group's outline application, including 35 affordable homes, on land west of Moorsfield Avenue and Tollgate Drive (Photo: Google).

Miss Henson said: "The recommended reason for refusal has come as a shock to us.

"Despite chasing for an update, we were not told about the landscape officer's comments or saw them online until after the report had been finalised."

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She added: "We are confident the scheme can be shaped to respect the natural landform and protect the existing tree cover and minimise visual impact."

At the beginning of the meeting, ward councillor Rachel Bailey (Con), speaking as a visiting member, said a similar application on the site in 2017 was refused for the same reasons as those put forward now and that decision had been upheld at appeal.

Audlem Parish councillor David Lambourne told the committee: "The proposal is a significant imposition on the village of Audlem, which fails to pay due regard, amongst other things, to the character, amenities, highways limitations, community, and environmental impact of such a development in the open countryside."

Audlem St James Primary School was the only supporter of the application.

Headteacher Andrew Parry said, in a statement read out at the meeting, that pupil numbers at the village school had dropped from 200 to around 175.

"Our funding is directly linked to pupil numbers. Fewer children means reduced funding, and this has a real impact on what we can sustain," he said.

He added: "The proposed development offers the potential to bring new families into the village, families who will contribute to the life of the community, support local services, and help ensure that our school remains strong in the years to come."

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Conservative), said: "Whilst I have every empathy with what the headteacher has said, he's absolutely right, I'm not sure that this one little application is going to make any difference whatsoever."

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She said she didn't like the application at all and there were several issues, including highways.

Regarding the level changes, she said: "I would love to see one of those play areas on those slopes. You wouldn't need a slide…

"What an absolute nonsense, thinking that that could be done."

And she said the Shropshire Union Canal was a big draw for tourists.

"It's what attracts people to our pubs and local facilities. Those local facilities are not just for residents, and if you're just going to start building houses all the way along the canal, you are actually going to ruin those business interests," said Cllr Clowes.

Cllr Clowes moved the application be refused, it was seconded by Cllr Hannah Moss and the vote was unanimous.

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