Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 4798

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

Rowland Homes is promoting a 21-hectare site at Bradwall Road, Sandbach (Site 347) for residential development through the Local Plan Call for Sites process. Located on Sandbach’s northern edge, the site is adjacent to existing housing and near schools, shops, public transport and the town centre. It is proposed for around 550 homes, forming a new residential neighbourhood. Submitted in March 2026, the site is considered by the promoter to be suitable, available and achievable, with no significant technical, environmental or ownership constraints. Potential access would be from Bradwall Road, with secondary access from Cookesmere Lane.

Comment

Representation ID: 4799

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

The Scoping Consultation notes that the new standard methodology for calculating local housing need has increased the requirement for Cheshire East to 2,530 homes per year. This represents a significant uplift from the current Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (CELPS) requirement of 1,800 homes per year.
Rowland Homes considers that the new Local Plan should plan positively to meet housing needs over the new Plan period, in accordance with the general thrust of national planning policy, which is to significantly boost the supply of homes. As a minimum, this means planning for housing growth of 2,530 homes per year over the Plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 4800

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

This representation argues that Cheshire East should review existing Local Plan allocations that have failed to come forward, assessing whether they remain suitable and deliverable in line with Planning Practice Guidance. It highlights that several strategic allocations adopted in 2017 have underperformed and that the new Local Plan should examine the reasons for this to avoid repeating past mistakes. The representation contends that only genuinely developable sites, such as the promoter’s land at Bradwall Road, should be allocated. It also argues that the new Plan period should begin in 2026 and not be deferred to reduce the need for additional housing allocations.

Comment

Representation ID: 4801

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

Furthermore, planning positively for housing growth also means that the Plan period should commence from the current year (2026), and should not be pushed forward during the preparation or examination process. Moving the Plan base date forward as a means of avoiding the identification of additional land to meet current housing needs would not represent a positively prepared approach in the context of Policy PM15 of the NPPF.

Comment

Representation ID: 4802

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

Rowland Homes argues that the new Local Plan should plan positively and ambitiously for housing growth to meet the needs of all groups identified through the NPPF, including affordable housing, older people and specialist accommodation. It contends that allocating genuinely deliverable sites, such as its land at Bradwall Road, Sandbach, will help maintain a plan-led approach and support economic and social benefits. The representation also emphasises the need for flexible housing policies, warning against rigid housing mix requirements based solely on current evidence, as market conditions, demographics and housing needs may change over the Plan period to the 2040s.

Comment

Representation ID: 4803

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

Rowland Homes argues that Sandbach's role within Cheshire East has grown significantly since 2010, with over 3,200 housing completions and a substantial increase in households, employment and service provision. It contends that Sandbach should be reclassified higher in the settlement hierarchy and accommodate further sustainable growth due to its strong transport links, facilities and commuter appeal. The representation supports considering factors such as housing need, affordability and infrastructure in distributing development, but warns against placing excessive reliance on brownfield regeneration opportunities. It also argues that countryside designations should not prevent development on suitable, sustainable edge-of-settlement sites such as Bradwall Road.

Comment

Representation ID: 4804

Received: 23/08/2026

Respondent: Rowland Homes

Agent: Marrons

This representation supports a robust site selection process based on suitability, availability and deliverability. It highlights that Cheshire East is developing a methodology to assess sites submitted through the Call for Sites process and argues that Rowland Homes’ Bradwall Road, Sandbach (Site 347) performs strongly against national assessment criteria. While recognising the value of brownfield regeneration, it cautions against prioritising brownfield land where viability, remediation costs or other constraints may delay delivery. The representation emphasises the importance of achievability and viability in site assessment and offers to engage with the Council to help inform its understanding of market conditions and housing delivery.