A PLANNING application has been submitted to build 370 homes off Centurion Way.

Outline plans by Persimmon Homes also include a new church with ancillary facilities and parking, landscaping, public open spaces and play areas.

The developer will make an ‘contribution to education’ as well as build 30 per cent of the homes as affordable.

Cllr Jonathan Parry, Middlewich Town Council, said: “I am 100 per cent against it until some form of infrastructure plans are put in place.

“Homes and infrastructure go hand in hand and without improvements there will be continued strain on the town.

“Based on the application there is no bypass contribution through section 106 payments which is ridiculous as that is an area that needs it more than most.

“On paper it says we’ll get an education contribution but we won’t know whether that is the case until we know which school catchment area the site comes under.

“So in the end we could be left in a situation where we’ve got no contributions to the town but we’ve got to bear the brunt of the problems.

“I hope all Middlewich councillors join me in objecting to this application.”

If approved the developer would cross-subsidise a new facility for Middlewich Community Church which currently has a lease on a converted social club in Brooks Lane.

A planning statement said: “Persimmon Homes intend to develop a mixture of one, two, three and four bed family dwellings.

“The provision of new and improved church facilities, which will also support the work of the church in the wider community, should be given significant weight.

“It is abundantly clear that the adverse impact of the development would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh its benefits.”

Original proposals that were mooted in 2016 included potential community facilities such as an auditorium, conference facilities, coffee shop, sports hall and foodbank rooms but these are not listed in the application.

The masterplan also shows another site to the east that could be used for future development.

A decision target date is set for December 13.

For more information visit centurionway.co.uk.