A planning inspector has upheld Cheshire East Council's refusal to allow a social housing provider to build 68 'cramped' affordable homes in Alsager.

Plus Dane Housing wanted to build the mix of flats and houses on land off Linley Road in Alsager.

The council's southern planning committee refused the scheme in July last year on numerous grounds including the proposal appeared 'cramped' as nearly half the homes would have insufficient garden space, lack of required contributions, and because of its poor design and layout.

Sandbach councillor Laura Crane (Lab) was particularly critical at last year's meeting, saying: "It really smacks of squeeze as many houses as possible on to a site because it's affordable homes for people who don't have another choice."

The housing company appealed, but planning inspector Benjamin Webb came down on the side of the council, although he didn't agree with all the reasons for refusal.

In his decision Mr Webb said: "The development would provide acceptable living conditions for its future occupants in relation to the provision of private outdoor amenity space."

And he said the effects of the development in relation to open space provision would be acceptable.

But he agreed with the council on the poor design.

Linley Road site. (Sue Helliwell)

The planning inspector said: "Whilst I have identified a number of areas in which the scheme would, on balance, be compliant with the development plan, my findings in relation to design indicate the scheme would conflict with the development plan read as a whole."

He acknowledged the council does not have a five-year supply of housing land.

But he said: "Though the scheme would be broadly consistent with key policies directing development to sustainable locations, making effective use of land, and providing affordable homes, none of these policies, taken either on their own or in combination, provide a direct justification to accept poor design.

"Indeed, the creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve."

Mr Webb said because of this 'the scheme would be unacceptable' and dismissed the appeal.

Alsager Nub News reported here how Alsager resident and now Alsager Town Councillor Sue Helliwell campaigned vigorously against the land being built on.

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