Plans for an 80-bed care home on land previously identified for a school in Nantwich have been recommended for approval.

Muller Property Group is seeking outline permission for the three-storey care home together with public open space, access, layout and appearance.

The application site on Maylands Park comprises part of the mixed-use development on land to the south of Peter De Stapleigh Way at Stapeley, which was granted outline approval on appeal by the Secretary of State in 2020.

Access would be via the road leading southward from the traffic light junction on Peter De Stapleigh Way.

Muller Property Group is seeking outline permission for the three-storey care home together with public open space, access, layout and appearance on Maylands Park (Google).

The proposal will be considered next week by Cheshire East's strategic planning board – two months after permission was secured for 40 homes and a 49-apartment retirement living scheme as part of the phase two development of the site.

The council's planners say this latest proposal would result in residential development in open countryside and would be in conflict with the development plan – but Cheshire doesn't have a five-year supply of housing.

The report from the planning officer says "The proposals are for an 80-bed care home which would provide residential nursing care for older persons as well as specialist dementia patient care.

"The delivery of 80 care bed spaces would help address an identified need, including the provision of specialist dementia care, which would also add to the council's housing supply."

The report says other advantages of the scheme include indirect economic benefits such as additional trade for local shops and businesses and jobs in construction.

Social and health benefits would include specialist nursing and dementia care.

And, it says, the proposal would significantly enhance provision of public open space at the heart of the Maylands Park development.

The report lists the 'disbenefits' as being residential development in the open countryside and the loss of approved mixed-uses, including land identified for a primary school, adding 'albeit that there is no reasonable prospect of a school being delivered'.

The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions, including a financial contribution of £72,320 to the NHS.

The strategic planning board meeting takes place at 10.30am on Wednesday 23 July at Crewe Municipal Buildings.

READ MORE: Plans for Burger King and Greggs development at Nantwich petrol station.

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