THE proposed 500-home Centurion Way development has taken the next step towards a planning application, submitting an environmental scoping request to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

The request follows an earlier screening opinion request, which was made to ascertain whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would be necessary for the 64-acre mixed-use development.

Due to the size of the development, this was confirmed and a scoping opinion will allow developers behind the project to pinpoint exactly what environmental factors it needs to consider.

The screening opinion EIA was met with a response from a CWAC planning officer, as the bulk of the proposed development lies in its territory to the north-east of Middlewich.

As previously reported in the Guardian, the response noted that the development would have “significant” effects on Middlewich.

According to early plans, only the proposed new Middlewich Community Church sits within Cheshire East Council’s jurisdiction.

Other proposed uses of the site include community facilities including a 600-seat auditorium, coffee shop, sports hall and foodbank rooms.

Developers also held a public consultation event in Middlewich in August, inviting members of the public to share their feedback and opinions to help inform a planning application.

Middlewich Town Council has not yet been approached for consultation, because the application is at a very early stage.

For more information on the plans, visit centurionway.co.uk.