THE Crown Estate has submitted the first of two sets of plans for its North West Knutsford project, with the number of homes proposed on the Northwich Road site rising by almost 100 from original plans.

Lodged with Cheshire East Council’s planning department, the application requests permission to build up to 260 homes with 30 per cent of these being affordable.

The alterations follow a consultation in January, and would be built on the same area of land albeit with a higher house density.

Steve Melligan, strategic land manager at The Crown Estate, said: “We’ve worked hard with the council to make the most effective use of the allocated site, ensuring that Northwich Road can make the best possible contribution to Knutsford’s local housing need and deliver a range of benefits to the community.

“Our proposals will provide new, low density housing, alongside a range of green, open spaces, and a package of infrastructure improvements that will ensure local highways are capable of effectively supporting new development.”

The application also includes community facilities and green spaces including a sports pitch, allotments and orchard, as well as a new Northwich Road roundabout and a sustainable urban drainage system.

Plans will now appear on CEC’s public planning portal, opening a period of statutory consultation where interested parties can examine the proposals and make comments to be considered by planning officers and committee members.

The Crown Estate expects the application to come before a CEC planning committee later this year.

A spokesman explained that the Northwich Road site is identified in CEC’s newly-adopted local plan as a strategic housing location.

If approved, plans would also include a financial contribution towards provision of services in the borough, including special educational needs places.

The Crown Estate is also set to submit plans for its Manchester Road site within the next few months.

When plans went to consultation in January, they included up to 75 homes and 18.5 acres of employment space expected to create around 1,000 jobs.