Pegasus Group has helped Bloor Homes secure outline planning permission on appeal for up to 325 residential dwellings in Sandbach, Cheshire East. The scheme will deliver much-needed market and affordable homes, accessible housing, and a new community park in an area facing a critical housing supply deficit. 

Our multidisciplinary team successfully demonstrated the overriding need for housing at appeal, overturning Cheshire East Council’s refusal – a decision originally made against officer recommendations. 

The Sandbach development incorporates a substantial package of housing, social, and community benefits designed to address documented local housing needs.  

At appeal, the Inspector ultimately concluded that the benefits of the proposal outweighed the limited harms. These benefits included:  

  • The vital need for housing supply in the borough, providing up to 325 homes 
  • Substantial affordable housing provision, addressing acute local affordability pressures 
  • Adaptable and wheelchair accessible homes that directly respond to the high proportion of residents with specific mobility and accessibility needs in the local ward area. 
  • A new community park and public open space, creating expansive landscaped areas for recreation and community wellbeing. 
  • Local economic and infrastructure growth, generating construction jobs, increased local expenditure, and associated community benefits. 

During the appeal, the Local Planning Authority and Rule 6 party raised concerns regarding heritage impacts, biodiversity net gain (BNG) calculations, and the potential impacts on an adjacent residential care home. Our team successfully dismantled these concerns, leading the Planning Inspectorate to conclude that the scheme’s benefits decisively outweighed any limited harms.  

Sebastian Tibenham, Executive Director of Planning, commented: “Delivering high-quality housing requires looking at the broader picture of what communities truly need, particularly when local authority housing supplies fall short. This was the first appeal decision I’ve seen where the Inspector attached significant weight to the provision of M4(2) and M4(3) adaptable homes, ultimately tipping the balance to grant permission. We’re proud to have supported Bloor Homes on a scheme that will bring meaningful social and economic value to Sandbach.” 

With outline planning permission secured, the project will now progress toward detailed Reserved Matters to refine the layout, design, and landscaping of the community park and residential streets. 

 

To learn more about how Pegasus can support your development, speak with our experts.