News

Turley advises Bloor Homes on grey belt appeal following refusal of plans for new homes in Macclesfield

On behalf of Bloor Homes, we have submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate following the decision of Cheshire East Council's Strategic Planning Board to refuse plans for new homes on Prestbury Road in Macclesfield – a site considered by officers to meet the definition of ‘grey belt'. The proposals were refused at committee in September despite a recommendation for approval by the council's planning officers.

Bloor Homes is seeking outline planning permission to deliver up to 90 new affordable homes and up to 110 new market homes to help meet Cheshire East's current housing shortfall, create better links to the Bollin Valley leisure routes, and support critical infrastructure in Macclesfield, including the local hospital. 

We have provided expert Planning, Strategic Communications, Design, EIA, Economics, Heritage, Townscape and Landscape services to Bloor Homes as part of the application. Our team will continue to support the project through the appeal with Planning, Landscape, and Heritage advice, and further support from our Design, Economics and Strategic Communications teams. 

Members of the committee refused the application on the basis that the land lies within the Green Belt, believing the plans would harm the local landscape. However, Cheshire East's officers concluded that the site is grey belt, as defined by the Government, due to the site not making a strong contribution to the relevant Green Belt purposes, aligning with the Golden Rules, and being sustainably located on the edge of Macclesfield.

Director, Planning, Anna Relph, said:

“We believe this application was the first grey belt housing application submitted in the North West and was the first one to be considered by Committee in Cheshire East. It represents an important opportunity to demonstrate how new national policy should be applied both practically and responsibly. The grey belt approach is intended to unlock sustainable, high-quality development, such as this, where land doesn’t make a strong contribution to the relevant Green Belt purposes and there is a demonstrated housing shortage, such as in Cheshire East. We look forward to supporting the appeal process on behalf of Bloor Homes, helping to realise the key benefits – from affordable housing and improved connectivity to new public green space – and to ensure the site’s potential, and the application of grey belt principles, are appropriately considered by the Planning Inspectorate.”

Toby Hudson, Strategic Land Director at Bloor Homes, said:

"This application is a perfect example of what the new government has asked for through its introduction of grey belt to help build 1.5 million new homes in this parliament.  

"We believe Bloor is setting the example for how sustainable grey belt development should be brought forward, yet still committee members have chosen to vote against their own officers’ recommendation to approve this application.

"Objections to the application have come almost exclusively from nearby residents, many of whom are fortunate enough to own their own homes already. Bloor acknowledges these concerns and has ensured the proposals offer significant benefits to the local community. These include new walking and cycling routes, enhanced bus services, and access to new public green spaces right on the doorstep.

"We look forward to making our case to the planning inspectorate, supported by the Council's own officer report. We want to bring growth and new life to Macclesfield and we are confident that ultimately the application will be determined in favour of the delivery of much needed new homes".

28 October 2025