MIDDLEWICH is earmarked for an extra 235 houses to add to the hundreds of properties being built on the edge of the town.

Gladman Developments wants to construct the new estate off Warmingham Lane, and is seeking outline planning approval for the scheme.

The site pinpointed for the 235 houses comprises six fields used for arable purposes.

To the west lies further farmland, which drops towards the River Wheelock, and to the south west is the listed Pettywood Farm and further farmland.

Morris Homes is building 194 homes on land next to the Gladman site, to the north of which is land where Bellway Homes is building 149 properties.

The estate would comprise a mixture of one to five-bedroom properties, from apartments to detached houses, with 30 per cent of the homes being affordable, and a T-junction access to the site is proposed off Warmingham Lane.

A report with the application said: “The application site is situated within a demonstrably suitable and appropriate location and represents the most logical location to host new housing development within Middlewich.

“The proposals will make a significant contribution towards meeting the social elements of sustainability through providing homes to meet the housing needs of Cheshire East and making a valuable contribution towards the five-year housing land supply.

“Further, the application proposals will provide 30 per cent affordable housing in circumstances where there is a chronic shortage in the authority area, which should be regarded as a significant material benefit.

“The development proposals will assist in helping to maintain and enhance the vitality of Middlewich.

“In addition to the delivery of housing, the proposals will deliver a number of economic benefits, which include New Homes Bonus totalling £2.2 million, 203 construction jobs, a further 221 indirect jobs in associated industries and total gross expenditure of £5.5 million annually.”

An area on the site is earmarked for a potential community facility, the use of which would be determined through discussions with the community, Cheshire East Council and Middlewich Town Council.

Half the site would consist of new public open space, including an equipped children’s play area, informal recreation space and a landscape setting, and the proposals include land designated for a potential sports pitch.

The proposals include new pedestrian links through the site and its network of green infrastructure and outwards towards Warmingham Lane and the adjacent, under construction development, linking it to the town centre.