LAND east of Parkgate Lane in Knutsford is earmarked for Tatton Park Gate Village, a community of 234 homes.

Updated detailed plans for the development have been submitted to Cheshire East Council by Tatton Estate and Bellway Homes.

Annette McDonald, deputy managing director of the Tatton Group, said: “The proposals present a unique opportunity to deliver carefully-designed new homes alongside community facilities and green, open spaces.

“Park Gate Village will provide a range of new homes for local people within easy reach of the town centre and train station by foot, cycle and the newly improved road.

“The development will include accessible and affordable housing, as well as bungalows, which will cater for the range of local housing needs.

“In addition to the delivery of much-needed housing, the proposals will deliver a boost to the local economy so badly damaged by coronavirus, including up to £44.3 million of gross value added to the regional economy, as well as £1.7 million in New Homes Bonus revenue for Cheshire East Council.”

Knutsford Guardian:

An illustration of the proposed homes

Up to 180 jobs a year would be created during construction, she said, and as well as supporting the people and economy of Knutsford the development would help facilitate significant wider investment from the Tatton Estate, especially from its food, farming and environment plans.

She added: “The scheme has been a great partnership for us, having been developed in consultation with the community and key stakeholders, with over 50 meetings taking place.

“Feedback from these conversations is reflected in the final scheme submitted to Cheshire East Council, which we hope will earn very strong support as a result.”

She said the plans would deliver high-quality homes needed to ‘Build Back Better’ post-Covid-19, including affordable properties subsidised by the Estate, in a sustainable location which had long been allocated for development.

Originally approved for housing five years ago, Cheshire East Council’s planning committee requested changes to the proposals, all of which Annette said had been taken on board to create ‘a great place to live’ with two, three and four-bedroom houses, bungalows and extensive green open spaces, neighbouring Tatton Park.

She said the scheme had been designed to enhance the environment and provide biodiversity benefits, and the homes would be a range of sizes and styles to meet local housing needs, including mainly two to three-bedroom family homes (over 70 per cent), as well as four-bedroom properties.

The scheme incorporates 50 accessible M4(2) compliant homes that can be adapted for downstairs living, as well as bungalows helping those looking to downsize.

The plans also include the full policy requirement of 70 affordable homes, which the Estate said would support local people.

Annette added: “The new homes have been designed to reflect the character of the local area and the site’s setting near Tatton Park.

“At the request of Tatton Park the scheme also includes enhancements to the boundary to the park which will help screen out the recently-expanded industrial estate.

“Alongside new homes, the scheme includes an array of quality community facilities for new and existing residents, including children’s play areas, recreational areas, a community orchard and equipped trim trail.”

The plans include features to enhance wildlife such as new ecology areas, bird and bat boxes, apple, pear, damson trees, hazelnuts, rose hips, elder and blackberries.

Sustainability initiatives include an extensive ‘triple cycle loop’ around the scheme connecting it to the North Cheshire Way footpath, which is being improved and surfaced; solar panels on all south-facing affordable homes and electric vehicle charging points in all properties.

Annette said the Parkgate Lane site access was approved in detail as part of the original consent, and the new Parkgate Lane/Mobberley Road roundabout and pedestrian enhancements were already close to completion, ensuring these significant improvements would be in place.

To find out more visit the new Facebook page at Tatton Park Gate Village, Knutsford.