Approval expected for Handforth Garden Village of 1,500 homes and 30 acres of commercial development

Cheshire East Council is expected to approve plans for Handforth Garden Village which would see the delivery of 1,500 new homes on the edge of the Cheshire town.

The council, via its development company Engine of the North, is the lead developer for the Handforth Garden Village and the delivery strategy and programme for the project were first approved in 2018. Around 70% of the land allocated for the garden village is owned by Cheshire East Council, while the remaining 30% is owned by third parties.

Bounded by the A34 and A555 dual carriageways, the 300 acre site to the East of Handforth will include 1,500 new homes, up to 30 acres of employment land, a new local centre, a new school and extensive open space, similar to Woodford Garden Village being developed across the border in Stockport on the former aerodrome site.

Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board is set to allow plans to progress when it meets on Friday 13th January, allowing housebuilding as well as necessary infrastructure development to progress.

Stockport Council is expected to receive around £5 million in Section 106 developer contributions to fund infrastructure improvements for the A34 to the north of the scheme, while £4.7 million in contributions will also go to support the Poynton Relief Road project, currently under construction to reduce local congestion. Additional funding will also be allocated to support other local facilities, including Wilmslow Leisure Centre and local green spaces, that will also see increased activity due to new residents. A walking and cycle route and park and ride facility to access Handforth’s village centre and train station are already being delivered that will connect the new homes with other local communities.

The garden village scheme would also create more than 300 construction jobs and 470 supply chain jobs during the delivery phase.

It is estimated that the scheme will also deliver a further 600 jobs directly and 150 supply chain jobs due to the new commercial and community uses created and the increased expenditure in the local area, while adding to local housing stock within a short commute of Wilmslow, Manchester Airport and the city centre.