Former Crewe hotel and wedding venue site approved for 55 dwellings and care home
The former Hunters Lodge Hotel and wedding venue in Crewe is set to be bulldozed - replaced with a new care home and 55 dwellings.
Cheshire East's southern planning committee gave the go-ahead for the scheme off Sydney Road on Wednesday (September 28).
The approval came despite concerns there would be some incursion into the Green Gap.
There were also objections from Crewe Town Council, ward councillor Hazel Faddes and some residents relating to accessibility for active travel due to dangers crossing the busy Sydney Road.
There were also fears the new development would impact the privacy and boundaries of existing properties and arguments there had been enough houses built in the area.
Cllr Steve Edgar (Conservative), speaking as a visiting neighbouring ward councillor, told the committee: "My concern is yet another removal of part of the strategic gap between Crewe and Haslington.
He added: "If you cannot ensure that the Green Gap incursion will be permanently used as open space playing field then, please, this application should be refused."
The applicant's agent, Victoria Welsh, said Seddon Homes had worked closely with officers to address concerns raised in the original proposal.
"The care element has been relocated to the southern part of the site, away from the dwellings on Bentley Drive in the north, resulting in a reduction of 10 dwellings across the scheme," said Ms Welsh.
"The scheme has also been designed to include substantial areas of public open space which exceeds policy expectation, a play area, ecological and landscape enhancements including a net gain in biodiversity to ensure the site doesn't appear over developed.
"The scheme will deliver 16 affordable homes."
The committee was told the proposal also included a specialist care element to support adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.
"A six-bedroom care home is proposed along with 12 step-down apartments, assisting residents to transition to live as independently as possible within their own home and community with the benefit of continued access to nursing and care," said Ms Welsh.
She said 50 full-time jobs would be created from the care element.
Crewe councillors Steve Hogben (Labour) and Anthony Critchley (Labour), both expressed concerns about the possible highways dangers.
But Cllr Janet Clowes (Conservative), said a hotel had been on the site for a long time with traffic driving in and out.
With regard to concerns about the Green Gap, the Wybunbury councillor said: "The bit to the north of the site remains policy compliant, even within the Green Gap policies, and I think we have to be cognisant of that.
"And, for me, in terms of the amenity space that will offer that particular group of [care home] residents, I think it's vitally important and probably a reasonable price to pay."
She added: "I do actually welcome this type of care home. It's something that our authority is desperate for.
"In terms of looking after the public purse, being able to look after this high cost, high dependency needs cohort within our own borough is vitally important going forward."
Willaston councillor Allen Gage (Conservative) agreed.
"The provision of a special needs care home is not something we should quickly refuse, these things are like gold dust and they are vital," he said.
The application was unanimously approved with a number of conditions, including cycle storage, boundary planting and discussions to take place over the location of the crossing on Sydney Road.
READ MORE: Cheshire East councillors to get more cash helping to improve Crewe roads.
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