Another 1,700 homes could be on the way for agricultural land in the open countryside on the outskirts of Crewe.

Hallam Land is proposing to submit an outline planning application for up to 1,700 homes on fields off Moss Lane at Leighton.

No application has been submitted yet, but an environmental impact assessment scoping report from Buro Happold on behalf of the land promoter states: "The site has the potential to deliver up to 1,700 dwellings, an opportunity for a new primary school, if required, alongside a proposed local centre, ancillary retail uses and over 55s accommodation."

It says provision of significant open space is anticipated to sit alongside these uses, formed through a mixture of amenity space, green and blue infrastructure, allotments/community growing, and children's play spaces.

The report adds these proposals should be considered as indicative only and will 'naturally develop further during the design process whilst the EIA and associated pre-planning application process is progressed'.

The proposed 95.46-hecare site is split across two parcels – north of Moss Lane (64.80 ha) and south of Moss Lane (30.66 ha).

The site is bound by Middlewich Road to the west, agricultural fields to the north and south, and land subject to HS2 safeguarding in the east.

Leighton Hospital is located approximately 300m south-west of the site.

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Nearby businesses and buildings include Minshull's Garden Centre on Eardswick Lane, the Coach and Horses on Middlewich Road and St Peter's Church on Middlewich Road.

According to the scoping report, if permission is granted, it is anticipated construction would begin in early 2029 and the build-out period for the proposed development would be about 20 years.

This latest proposal comes just weeks after Cheshire Fresh Ltd submitted an outline application for up to 2,100 homes on land at Red Hall Farm off Middlewich Road, close to Leighton Hospital.

That application has yet to be determined.

The EIA scoping report, application number 26/3072/EIA, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.