Plans for 42 affordable homes in Alsager have been recommended for refusal.

Breck Homes wants to build the dwellings on a 1.52-hectare site which comprises part of the garden area of 68 Close Lane and the open field to the rear and further land to the south behind 60-68 Close Lane.

An application for 55 homes on the same site was refused by Cheshire East's southern planning committee in 2022 on the grounds of insufficient open spaces and garden sizes.

A planning inspector later upheld the council's decision and dismissed the appeal.

Cheshire East's planning officers say the previous reasons for refusal have now been addressed in this latest application, but are recommending refusal on the grounds 'there is no identified drainage solution for this development'.

A report from a council officer to next week's meeting of the southern planning committee says there are many benefits to the scheme.

"The proposal would result in the creation of 42 additional affordable dwellings which would go some way to help the council achieve its five-year housing land supply target and affordable housing targets.

"It will also have indirect economic benefits including additional trade for local shops and businesses, jobs in construction and economic benefits to the construction industry supply chain," states the report.

It says the site also lies within a sustainable location within the settlement boundary for Alsager and the principle of residential development on the land is acceptable.

It adds: "The proposal would provide contributions towards education, outdoor sport and the NHS."

It then states: "The proposal has not demonstrated a feasible outfall option for site drainage and the proposed layout has insufficient SuDS (sustainable drainage system) provision…

"Therefore, it is not considered that the benefits of this application would substantially outweigh the disbenefits and there are no material considerations in this case that indicate that planning permission should be approved."

The scheme, which is for the registered affordable housing provider Guinness, is for 42 social rented homes.

The proposal, which also includes public open space and construction of roads and footways, consists of a mix of detached, semi-detached and town house properties.

There would be four one-bed homes, 15 two-bed; 20 three-bed properties and three four-bedroomed houses.

Alsager Town Council has objected to the application citing a number of reasons, including the density of the proposal is unacceptable, access to the site from Close Lane is on a blind bend and the lack of infrastructure to support the development

Cheshire East has also received 79 letters from local residents opposing the development.

The southern planning committee meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday, February 4, at Delamere House in Crewe.