THESE images offer a glimpse into how the new 1,500-home Handforth Garden Village could look.

Engine of the North, the Cheshire East Council-owned development firm, has submitted a planning application for the new development east of the A34 Handforth Bypass, and south of the new A555 Manchester Airport link road.

And the firm says it is committed to ensuring the ambitious 121-hectare village will be complete by 2030.

In its application, Frost Planning – on behalf of Engine of the North – said: “The vision is to create a sustainable, integrated, inclusive and vibrant community, where people of all ages and backgrounds can find a home that meets their needs through the different stages of their lives.

“A beautiful and characterful place in which to live, work and play. A place that is very well connected to its natural and urban surroundings. A distinct place with its own identity and a strong sense of community embedded within the highest quality environment.

Knutsford Guardian:

“The village should be delivered by 2030 in line with the adopted Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy. As the applicant and lead developer, Engine of the North aims to ensure this is delivered successfully and on time.”

The planning application is in two parts – with the first looking for outline approval to build 1,500 new homes, new employment buildings, a mixed-use village centre and new green infrastructure.

If CEC approves the first part of the scheme, Engine of the North must come back to the council with more detailed designs in a ‘reserved matters’ application.

Meanwhile, the second part is for full planning permission to prepare the site for the development – including highways and drainage works, green infrastructure and a new bridge over the A34 to connect the village to the rest of Handforth.

Thirty per cent of the homes will be affordable, while five per cent will be ‘self-build’ homes, and up to 175 retirement homes could be included.

Knutsford Guardian:

Up to 12 hectares of employment land is also set to feature on the site, including offices, research and development sites and light industry, while the existing Ministry of Defence and Total Fitness sites are expected to be retained.

A new village centre could include shops, banks, building societies, estate agents, restaurants, cafes, public houses, wine bars and takeaways.

An 80-bed hotel, a primary school, sports facilities, a village hall and a church are also expected to feature, while new green infrastructure will include allotments, orchards, cycleways and a wildlife site.

In the masterplan for the village which went out to consultation last August, Ainsley Arnold, CEC’s then-cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: “The site represents a very exciting opportunity to create an exemplar new village in the borough.

“It will be a community where people can move through the village as their lives grow and evolve.

“All development will be of the highest quality of design and the garden village will create a pleasant and sustainable community, supported by the infrastructure it needs.”

Knutsford Guardian:

It is expected the village will be built across four zones – Village Heart, Dairy House to the north, Kissing Gate to the south west and Blossoms Lane to the south east.

The Government confirmed it would provide £21.7 million towards the garden village project in March.

CEC expects the strategic planning board to vote on the planning application on Wednesday, August 28.

To see the application, search for ‘19/0623M’ on CEC’s planning website.

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Residents can comment on the planning application until Thursday, June 13.

All images courtesy of Engine of the North/Escape Urbanists