THE first new homes on the controversial Dane Valley development are expected to come available for sale in around 12 months' time.

Bellway Homes has now completed a deal to deliver the 227-home scheme, as approved on planning appeal in March.

The 242-acre site will also bring a new access road from London Road, on which work has already begun with 'significant infrastructure' expected to follow this summer.

Having completed the deal with Bellway, land promoter Ainscough Strategic Land says the development includes a significant section 106 contribution towards education services of around £800,000.

Additionally, 30 per cent of the 227 homes are planned to be affordable.

Northwich Guardian:

John Brooks, planning director at ASL, said: “We are delighted to have completed on the Northwich scheme.

"It has not been without its challenges – since securing the outline consent we have successfully pursued three reserved matters submissions, two appeals and numerous consent amendments to arrive at the Bellway approval.

"Our landowners are delighted with the outcome, and with the quality of Bellway’s plans.

“This will be a design-led development on what is a highly attractive site, undoubtedly raising the quality of the housing offer in Northwich.

"As well as providing more than 220 much-needed quality family homes, it opens up and gifts to the town over 100 acres of new public meadowland adjacent to the River Dane.

"This will be a tremendous community asset for both the neighbourhood and for Northwich as a whole.”

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The scheme had been granted outline consent in 2014, with an initial proposal for 187 homes.

Northwich Guardian:

But reserved matters plans – detailing the design for 227 homes - were then rejected last May after councillors felt the design had not met previous standards.

This decision, however, was overturned by the planning inspectorate after ruling Cheshire West and Chester Council's refusal did ‘not refer to any conflict with the development plan’.

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John Webster, land director at Bellway north west, said: “We worked in close partnership with Ainscough to negotiate this sensitive scheme through the planning system, and we were delighted to obtain reserved matters approval in March.

"We are very much looking forward to delivering a high-quality development in a unique and attractive setting, and we are confident that demand from potential customers will be strong.”