The Application Site

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The site is located on the eastern edge of Sandbach, within the urban settlement boundary of the town. As such there would be no extension of built development into the surrounding countryside as a result of the proposal.

The site is in a highly sustainable location, a short walk from the centre of the town via either Market Square or Scotch Common. The site itself consists of a two-storey farmhouse, which is a Grade II Listed Building, a two-storey detached barn and two smaller detached outbuildings. The proposed development would enable the renovation and conversion of the existing farmhouse and detached barn to ensure their future protection.

The farmhouse and two-storey barn are located within the Sandbach Conservation Area which encompasses the centre of the village and surrounding residential areas. The remaining site to the north east of the barn is located outside of the conservation area.

Dingle Lane runs through the centre of the site and bisects it into two parcels of land. The parcel of land to the south of the lane consists of the listed building and barns. The land on the north side of Dingle Lane is undeveloped but falls within the settlement boundary of Sandbach. The development of this site for housing would be clearly more preferable than a commercial development due to the proximity of residential properties.

There is an identified shortage of housing within Cheshire East and the former Congleton Borough. The proposed redevelopment of the site would assist in fulfilling that identified need in a highly sustainable urban location. National and local planning policy is generally supportive of developments within existing defined settlement towns. Sandbach is identified as one such town in the Congleton Borough Local Plan.