Muller Property Group is bringing forward Phase 2 of its residential development at Houndings Lane, Sandbach, building on the success of the adjacent Phase 1 scheme. The vision for Phase 2 is to create a sustainable, landscape-led neighbourhood that delivers high-quality homes while enhancing the natural environment and meeting the borough’s growing housing needs.

The Phase 2 site comprises approximately 40 hectares of agricultural land located immediately south of Sandbach’s urban area. To the north lies Phase 1, which received planning approval in May 2025 for 204 new homes, including 20% affordable housing, new vehicular access from the A534 roundabout, landscaping, public open space, ecological enhancement areas, and associated infrastructure.

 

Phase 2 Proposals

Following a comprehensive master planning process, Muller Property Group is proposing a high-quality residential development of around 500 new homes in a range of sizes and tenures to meet diverse housing needs.

The plans include:

• 30% affordable housing to support local residents and first-time buyers

• A new country park providing accessible green space and opportunities for recreation

• Sports and leisure areas, public open spaces, and green infrastructure integrated throughout the scheme

• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), including water attenuation features to manage surface water and reduce flood risk

• Two vehicular access points, one from the adjacent residential development to the north and one via a new junction on the A534 to the west of the site

 

Transport and Access

As part of the planning application, a Transport Assessment will be submitted to Cheshire East Council to assess the development’s impact on the local road network. This will identify any necessary improvements or mitigation measures to ensure safe and efficient access for all users.

 

Location and Planning Context

The site lies outside the Green Belt in a highly sustainable location on the southern edge of Sandbach’s settlement boundary. It was submitted to Cheshire East Council’s Call for Sites and is being promoted through the Council’s ongoing Local Plan review.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report has already been submitted to Cheshire East Council to establish the scope of technical studies that will accompany the planning application.

Recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) announced in late 2024 have increased Cheshire East Council’s annual housing requirement from 1,800 to 2,603 homes per year. This has resulted in the borough falling below the required five-year housing land supply, a position acknowledged by the Council. As a result, there is a clear need to bring forward deliverable and sustainable housing sites such as Houndings Lane to meet local housing demand in the short term.

 

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The residential development represents an opportunity to deliver much-needed new homes within a landscape-led, well-connected, and sustainable location on the edge of Sandbach. It will provide new amenities, high-quality open spaces, and ecological enhancements that support both the existing and future community.