PLANS to build houses and a care home on the site of a former Crewe hotel have failed to strike support with local residents

Seddon Homes wants to redevelop the site of the Hunters Lodge hotel, which closed in January this year after the family-based business revealed it had been hit hard by the pandemic.

Plans submitted to Cheshire East Council would see Seddon demolish the existing 57-bedroom hotel and function rooms to build 68 homes, including one to four bed houses as well as apartments.

Twelve of the flats would be linked to the six-bedroom care home and would provide on-site support for assisted living.

In a planning statement the developers say that the new homes are to be placed on the footprint of the hotel and car park and a wide range of housing will include affordable homes as well as "substantial landscaping and public open space".

It says the one-bed apartments will offer individuals the opportunity to "live more independently, but still with access to support and care in a "tranquil and peaceful setting".

The developers have met with Crewe East councillors to outline the scheme. But a consultation revealed local opposition with 90 per cent of residents canvassed raising objections to the proposals, including traffic problems, pressure on local service and the loss of wildlife.

One resident of nearby Heron Crescent warned: "This housing development will close the green gap between Crewe, Haslington and Sandbach."

Another, from Birch Avenue, stated: "I'm opposed due to the location narrowing the Green Corridor for local wildlife and while I appreciate a bat survey has been carries out this proposal covers a largely green field site."

Access to the proposed development is off Sydney Road and a resident from Lansdowne Road noted the proximity to Crewe Green roundabout which has already been the focus of traffic concerns.

"It is a very busy and dangerous road at present (Sydney Road) and the roundabout needed revisions as traffic was dangerous."

And the householder added: "The destruction of the green spaces, which were invaluable during lockdown, is criminal. The destruction of habitat and trees is also an abomination as there are national programs to rewild areas to stop the extinction of native species such as hedgehogs and foxes."

Seddon Homes plans to upgrade the existing road access to Hunters Lodge from Sydney Road by providing a 6.5m wide carriageway with 2m wide footways.

While plans to introduce traffic calming measures, including speed signs, 'slow' repeater road markings and a dropped kerb to make crossing easier.

The plans can be viewed here.