Purpose of this Consultation
Redrow is developing proposals for a new, high quality residential community at Mill Lane, Willaston. Emery Planning will be shortly submitting a planning application on behalf of Redrow which will seek planning permission to build approximately 160 high quality new homes, including 45% affordable housing.
This website provides details of the proposed development and seeks comments from the local community to help shape the draft proposals. Whilst the plans are still in development, this is an opportunity for you to provide us with your views and ideas to help us develop the final scheme before a planning application is submitted to the Council for consideration.
The site and planning context
The Government requires all Councils to demonstrate a minimum 5 year supply of housing land. Cheshire West and Chester Council can only demonstrate a supply of 1.87 years. This is a significant shortfall. There is an urgent need for new housing to come forward in the Cheshire West and Chester to meet the shortfall.
The site is currently designated as Green Belt. However, we consider that the site comprises ‘grey belt’ for the purposes of the Framework, and as such the development of the site for housing would not be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, subject to the Framework’s ‘Golden Rules’ being met. In summary:
- The site does not make a strong contribution to purposes a), b) or d) of the Green Belt, and its development would not undermine the purposes of the remaining Green Belt.
- The Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year supply of housing.
- The proposed development would be in a sustainable location.
- The proposed development would meet the golden rules by providing 45% affordable housing, any necessary local infrastructure, and significant new green space accessible to the public.
Therefore, the site comprises grey belt and the Golden Rules would be met. As such, the development of the site for housing should not be regarded as inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
The site adjoins the settlement of Willaston. It is bordered by existing housing and sports pitches to the south, Birkenhead Road to the west, Mill Lane to the north (including a number of residential properties) and a public footpath with agricultural land to the east. The site is well contained by existing roads and housing.
A further group of houses is located to the north-east of the site (off Mill Lane). That group contains Willaston Mill, which is a Grade II Listed Building.
The site is sustainably located and well connected to the village. An existing public footpath runs along the eastern boundary of the site. This provides a direct and short route to the local primary school, park and sports facilities, as well as other amenities and services in the centre of the village.
The site contains existing infrastructure, including the combined sewer which runs through the centre of the site and an electricity overhead line which runs through the north-west of the site. The electricity overhead line would be diverted to safely accommodate future development.
The Proposals
The proposed development would provide approximately 160 high quality new homes, 45% of which would be affordable homes. The masterplan seeks to deliver a high quality, attractive form of development which respects the character and appearance of the local area. The proposal includes:
- A mix of house types including 45% affordable housing, helping those who are unable to afford suitable accommodation in the market.
- Significant areas of green and blue infrastructure, securing extensive biodiversity enhancement and creating a valuable recreational resource.
- A landscape led scheme including the retention and enhancement of existing tree and hedgerow planting where possible.
- New landscaping and planting, including an extensive area of ecological and recreational open space to be used by both existing and new residents.
- Cycleways and footpaths throughout the site with a network of accessible paths following hedgerows that restore the historic field pattern.
- Maintain a vista through the development to maintain views of Willaston Mill
Benefits of the Development
The proposed development would result in a number of benefits for the local community. These would include:
Social benefits
- The provision of new family homes and affordable homes to meet identified needs in Cheshire West.
- The creation of new walking and cycle routes through the site.
- Significant areas of new open space within the site. This would include a large area of new open space to the east of the site, which would be accessible to both new and existing residents.
- Planning contributions towards local infrastructure and services, to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the proposed development.
Economic benefits
- During the build period, approximately 180 person-years of direct employment, and a further 224 person-years indirect and induced employment (further jobs supported in the wider economy in house building supply chains and by spending amongst direct and supply chain employees on goods and services) would be created.
- During occupation of the dwellings, there would be an increase in resident expenditure of approximately £4.5 million per annum, a significant proportion of which would be spent in local shops, services and amenities.
- The proposed development would provide homes for the district’s workforce, and once occupied the residents of the proposed scheme would spend money within Willaston and other parts of the borough.
Environmental benefits
- The provision of new open green space provided throughout the development, including the significant new area of open space in the eastern part of the site.
- The provision of green infrastructure through the retention of existing tree and hedgerow planting and the provision of additional planning and landscaping throughout the site.
- The delivery of a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
Have your say
Input and feedback from the community is an integral part of shaping our final proposals. We would like your views on the proposals and request that all responses are returned by Friday 20th March 2026.
Following this public consultation, we will review all feedback provided to help refine our proposals for Mill Lane, Willaston.
Expressions of interest
Register your interest in a new Redrow home in Willaston HERE
