Plans for up 75 homes in the open countryside at Nantwich have been recommended for approval.

Nightingale Land has submitted an outline application for the scheme, which also includes bulldozing a bungalow to create an access to the site.

Cheshire East planners acknowledge the proposal for land off Broad Lane conflicts with the local plan and 'would cause harm'.

The officer's report to Thursday's meeting of the strategic planning board states: "Development of the site for housing would result in a change to the rural character of the site."

Both Nantwich Town Council and Stapeley Parish Council have objected to the application, mainly on highways grounds.

Nantwich Town Council has also raised concerns about the existing local primary school on Broad Lane and surrounding schools being at capacity.

More than 30 residents have written to Cheshire East opposing the scheme.

Their objections include highways concerns, impact on wildlife, inappropriate form of development in the open countryside and it would result in the loss of agricultural land.

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The application proposes demolishing the bungalow at 6 Broad Lane to create an access to the site, which is 3.83-hectare field off Broad Lane and Batherton Lane.

Cheshire East planners say the proposal represents a departure from the local plan as it is for new dwellings within the open countryside and does not meet any of the exceptions.

But, the council doesn't have a five-year housing land supply since the government revised the national planning policy framework (NPPF) at the end of 2024, and this weighs in favour of permitting the development.

The officer's report says: "There are a range of benefits that weigh in favour of the proposal.

"The NPPF attaches great importance to housing delivery that meets the needs which the proposal would help address.

"The construction of up to 75 homes, including 30 per cent affordable units, is provided substantial weight and it would also result in some social benefit."

It says the application site is also adjacent to the settlement boundary of Nantwich.

"The site is considered to be sustainably located and proposes improvements to the PROW (public right of way) linking the development to wider facilities within Nantwich," says the report.

"It also proposes a contribution towards enhancing the bus service."

The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions and a S106 agreement securing 30 per cent affordable homes and financial contributions towards the NHS, education and others.

The meeting of the strategic planning board takes place at 10.30am on Thursday 5 March at Macclesfield Town Hall.

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