The site is located at Land at Manor Farm, immediately to the West of the Alsager settlement, and covering approximately 5.55 hectares of greenfield land. The site comprises of two larger greenfield land parcels to the north east and south east of Manor Farm joined together by a narrower plot which sits between Manor Farm and the boundary of neighboring residential development. The site is bounded by existing trees, hedgerow and Manor Farm to the west and sits comfortably with the existing settlement profile of Alsager where the recently completed redevelopment of the former Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) campus encloses the site to the north, east and south.

The site is being developed to extend the existing settlement of Alsager with a mix of residential dwellings, public open spaces, sustainable drainage attenuation measures and other necessary infrastructure.

An Outline Planning Application is submitted to a Local Planning Authority with less detail than a Full Planning Application to discuss whether development is acceptable in principle. In this case, details on access to the site, but not within the site, will also be considered. Specific and more detailed information would then be provided at a ‘reserved matters’ stage of planning.

A Reserved Matters Application would provide specific detail on how the development will look in respect of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.

The application site is not designated as Green Belt.

Hallam Land are seeking outline approval for the development of up to 125 residential dwellings at the site. It will also include generous areas of amenity open space, integrated pathways, trim trails and green routes particularly along the existing Public Right of Way, to encourage movement throughout the site for residents and members of the wider community.

A detailed breakdown of housing mix and tenure will be outlined at the Reserved Matters Stage.

Hallam Land have undertaken a review of Cheshire East Council’s housing requirements, and due regard has been had to the specific needs identified across different housing sizes, typologies and tenures in Alsager. This will inform the next stage of the planning process when different character areas are explored further.

Hallam Land is keen to work with the Council to deliver the right types of houses to help to meet the demand. The Council’s target threshold for new major development is to deliver 30% affordable housing provision, with a preference on tenure mix as 65% affordable (or social) rent and 35% intermediate. Hallam Land are committed to delivering this level of affordable housing on-site and in line with adopted policy requirements. Based on the Illustrative Masterplan of up to 125 dwellings this would equate to 38 new affordable homes.

The proposal aims to help Cheshire East Council deliver some of their key objectives by supporting growth and delivering sustainable development, with consideration of the existing built-up area. Housing development on this site would help to meet the Council’s identified local housing need, as well as Government targets for new homes more widely. Recent changes to national planning policy have sharply increased Cheshire East’s annual housing need from 977 to 2,461 homes. As a result, the Council’s previously robust 11.7 year land supply has dropped below the required five-year threshold. The latest data indicates a current supply of just 3.81 years with independent analysis suggesting it may fall further to 3.16 years for the period 2025 - 2030. This acute shortfall means the Council’s planning policies are considered out of date, and the ‘tilted balance’ in favour of sustainable development now applies - further reinforcing the urgent need for deliverable housing developments like this one.

The development would deliver up to 125 new homes, comprising a range of types and sizes and including affordable housing. This would offer opportunities for young people and first-time buyers to purchase a property whilst remaining in the local area and would also offer choice to existing local residents wishing to downsize their current property, whilst remaining in Alsager and the surrounding area.

Hallam Land recognises the need to work with the Council to ensure sufficient provision is made for existing services for both existing and new residents. Contributions towards existing amenities would be secured further down the planning process, with considerations made for education, transport, health, recreation and ecology.

Hallam Land emphasise that the site will be designed to reflect the local character and enhance the existing town.

The proposals have carefully considered traffic impact and access arrangements. The development will be served by two vehicular access points from William Howell Way and Hulse Way, designed to ensure safe and convenient movement for all users, with a focus on pedestrian and cyclist accessibility. A central route from Cliff Aucott Crescent will be restricted to emergency and active travel use only, helping to reduce congestion.

The internal road network is designed to encourage low speeds and prioritise sustainable transport, with dedicated pedestrian and cycle pathways. The site benefits from good public transport links, including nearby bus stops and Alsager Train Station, as well as access to existing footpaths and cycle routes, supporting connectivity to local amenities and employment areas.

A Transport Assessment will be submitted as part of the planning application to ensure that the development does not result in any significant traffic impact.

Details of construction mitigation measures will be provided in the submission of the Reserved Matters application and will be subject to negotiation with the Local Planning Authority. This detail will ensure disruption is minimal to surrounding neighbours and will be tightly controlled by Cheshire East Council.

The Outline Planning Application will be submitted in July 2025.

The determination of the application is expected within 13 weeks of validation of the application.

Subject to approval of the application, construction will begin in late 2026.

Yes, you will be able to comment on the application through the Council’s public access portal. We will update the consultation website once the application is submitted with the application reference number and link to the page.