Planning Application SMD/2021/0610 – Proposed 228 New Dwellings at Broad Hayes Farm, Hammersley Hayes, Cheadle, (on land to the east of Froghall Road, Cheadle)

The above planning application, originally submitted in mid-2021, is likely to be considered and approved or refused by the SMDC – Planning Applications Committee in July. To date almost 100 objections have been forwarded to the Planning Officer.

The proposed development would in effect use between 20 – 25% of the existing agricultural land between Cheadle and Kingsley Holt for housing development. It would also add significantly to the level of traffic using Froghall Road, Leek Road and Butlers Hill enroute to or through Cheadle.

The applicants / potential developers are Bloor Homes, (North West), represented by Emery Planning (Consultants), Macclesfield. The proposal is to build 228 new dwellings on land presently forming part of Broad Hayes Farm, Hammersley Hayes, Cheadle, land to the east of Froghall Road on the northern side of Cheadle. (in the fields opposite the Froghall Road entrance to Fallows Landfill Site).

Due to long established parish boundaries the land in question is actually within Kingsley Parish, (the parish boundary runs along Hammersley Hayes Road), although in practical terms the site would generally be considered to be part of the Cheadle.

Representatives from Kingsley Parish Council and Cheadle Town Council met on a number of occasions to agree a mutually supportive approach. To date almost 100 objections from members of the public have been forwarded to the Planning Dept. There is clearly a significant level of opposition to the plans, in particular from local residents in the Hammersley Hayes and Cheadle north.

The main objections from Kingsley Parish Council and Cheadle Town Council are (in summary):

1. SMDC Local Plan: The proposed site at Broad Hayes Farm, is outside the Cheadle Town planning boundary. The land in question was not considered as suitable for development within the recently adopted SMDC Local Plan.
2. Unnecessary Development: The number of new homes planned for Cheadle (and/or Kingsley Parish) already exceeds the numbers of dwellings required within the SMDC Local Plan to meet the perceived need.
3. Inadequate Road Infrastructure: The road network for traffic entering Cheadle from the north, A521 Froghall Road or the A522 Leek Road, is wholly inadequate to cope with the existing level of local and through traffic, shortly to be added to by ongoing developments near Donkey Lane and Churchill Road. (The road network in Cheadle compares very unfavourably with other local market towns such as Uttoxeter, Stone and Ashbourne).
4. Inadequate General Infrastructure: Particularly with regard to schools and medical facilities.
5. Road Safety: The proposed main site access on Froghall Road about 50 – 100 metres above the last house, near the existing ‘Cheadle’ sign, will present a serious road safety risk. (Traffic approaching from Kingsley Holt will be unsighted until very shortly before the junction).

Full details of the planning application can be found on the SMDC – Planning Department website under Ref: SMD/2021/0610.

There is still time to make comment on this application if you wish to influence the Planning Applications Committee decision.  Comments should be forwarded via email to: planning@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk or via letter The Planning Dept, Moorlands House, Staffs Moorlands District Council, Stockwell Street, Leek, Staffs, ST13 6HQ.

Please get back to me if you need any further information.

Ken Unwin
Tel: 01538 756131    Mob: 07531 902628            Email: kennethunwin918@btinternet.com