Shavington residents are fighting a proposal for up to four homes to be built next to a natural burial site.

Simon Clutton is seeking permission in principle for the self-build properties on land to the rear of Pusey Dale Close, off Main Road.

Cheshire East planning officers are recommending the southern planning committee approves the scheme when it meets next week.

The site forms part of a natural burial ground known as Santune Meadows.

A report from the council's planning officer to next week's meeting states: "An objection has been raised by the council's landscape officer due to the impact upon the burial ground."

11 residents have also objected, who cite a number of reasons, including that the site should be retained for natural burials, the impact on wildlife and conflict with planning policy.

The site is in the open countryside and the green gap so conflicts with the Cheshire East local plan.

Planning permission was granted in 2021 for the installation of an ecological burial ground with associated access and car parking.

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In 2025 the condition was varied to allow coffin burials to take place.

In the report, the officer says: "Whilst it is acknowledged that the [housing] proposals would lead to a loss of part of the natural burial ground, the majority of the site would remain, in addition to areas set aside for coffin burials and memorial planting."

The application is for 'permission in principle' (PIP), a two-stage mechanism for obtaining planning approval for housing development.

The first stage, being considered next week, is to establish whether the site is suitable in principle.

That limits the scope for consideration to location, land use and the amount of development.

The planning officer has recommended the application be approved in principle.

The officer's report says: "The proposal is considered to be sustainably located, but despite this the proposal conflicts with the development plan as a whole.

"However, the council is unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing."

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It says the development of up to four houses would make a small contribution to meeting the council's housing need and the adverse impacts of the proposal would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

The report concludes: "The proposed development would benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development which weighs heavily in support of the proposed development."

The southern planning meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday 1 April, at Delamere House in Crewe.

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