Winsford
Land east of Swanlow Lane
A new neighbourhood for Winsford
Creating new homes, green spaces and better connections for the future
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Welcome
Muller Property Group is preparing a hybrid planning application for a new residential neighbourhood on land east of Swanlow Lane, Winsford.
The emerging proposals would deliver around 450 new homes, including affordable housing, alongside extensive green infrastructure, public open space, landscape planting and new pedestrian connections.
Located on the southern edge of Winsford, the site offers the opportunity to create a well-connected and sustainable extension to the town that responds positively to its surroundings while helping to meet local housing needs.
This consultation forms an important part of the design process. We are still at an early stage and no planning application has yet been submitted. Feedback from residents, stakeholders and the wider community will help shape the proposals as they continue to evolve.
Site Context
The site extends to approximately 24 hectares (60 acres) of agricultural land on the southern edge of Winsford.
Positioned immediately east of Swanlow Lane and south of Welsh Lane, the land sits alongside existing residential neighbourhoods and benefits from strong connections to the town centre, local services and public transport.
The site is framed by:
- Welsh Lane to the north
- Swanlow Lane to the west
- Swanlow Park Cemetery to the south
- Open countryside and Shaws Wood Local Wildlife Site to the east
A defining feature of the site is Firwood Brook, which runs through the centre within a small wooded valley. The brook corridor will be retained and enhanced as part of the proposals, helping to shape a landscape-led masterplan focused on biodiversity, recreation and green connectivity.
Technical assessments undertaken to date confirm that the developable areas of the site lie within Flood Zone 1, representing the lowest probability of flooding.
Planning Context
Supporting Winsford’s Growth
Cheshire West and Chester Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan to guide future growth across the borough and identify land for new homes and supporting infrastructure.
Winsford is recognised as one of the borough’s most sustainable and accessible settlements and is expected to play an important role in accommodating future housing growth.
The site forms part of a wider area promoted through the Council’s plan-making process and represents a logical extension to the existing settlement.
Meeting Housing Need
Recent changes to national planning policy have significantly increased the borough’s housing requirement.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is now required to deliver substantially more homes each year than under the current adopted Local Plan, while the Council’s housing land supply position remains significantly below the required five-year level.
The proposals at Swanlow Lane would make an important contribution towards meeting local housing needs by delivering a new neighbourhood in a sustainable and accessible location.
A Sustainable Location
The site lies outside the Green Belt and is not subject to national landscape designations.
It benefits from close proximity to existing services, schools, public transport and employment opportunities, making it a highly sustainable location for future growth.
The proposals will also carefully consider nearby heritage assets, landscape character and ecological features through the ongoing design process.
The Emerging Proposals
The proposals have been informed by a range of technical assessments relating to highways, landscape, ecology, drainage and heritage.
At this stage, the masterplan remains illustrative and will continue to evolve as further work is completed and feedback is received through consultation.
Click or hover over the location markers to view
Potential location for
children’s play area
Potential location for
children’s play area
Potential location for
children’s play area
Potential location for
attenuation pond
designed to manage
surface water
Potential location for
attenuation pond
designed to manage
surface water
Proposed Vehicle &
Pedestrian Access
from Swanlow Lane
Central Public Open Space
Existing trees, hedgerows
and woodland retained
Proposed pedestrian access
and retention of existing
public right of way
Proposed pedestrian access
and retention of existing
public right of way
Proposed pedestrian access
and retention of existing
public right of way
Proposed pedestrian access
and retention of existing
public right of way
A mix of dwelling types, sizes and
tenures to create a balanced and
sustainable new communit
The emerging proposals include:
- The delivery of around 450 new homes in a sustainable and accessible edge-of-settlement location
- The inclusion of policy-compliant 30% affordable housing, delivered in line with Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning policies
- A mix of 1–5 bedroom homes, in a range of types and tenures, reflecting local needs and the character and scale of surrounding development
- The provision of public open space throughout the site, including areas for informal recreation, children's and youth play space, and natural green space linked to the Firwood Brook corridor
- A comprehensive landscaping strategy forming a central part of the scheme, incorporating existing trees, hedgerows and woodland to integrate the development into its surroundings and support biodiversity
- The retention and enhancement of existing public rights of way across the site, maintaining walking routes between Welsh Lane and New Lane
- New and improved pedestrian connections linking the site with nearby amenities, bus stops on Swanlow Lane and Winsford Town Centre
- Sustainable drainage features, including attenuation areas to manage surface water and ensure no increased flood risk off-site
- A commitment to achieving a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, secured through habitat creation and enhancement
The vision is to create a landscape-led neighbourhood that integrates positively with Winsford while providing high-quality homes and attractive green spaces for current and future residents.
Technical Assessments
A comprehensive programme of technical work has informed the emerging masterplan and will continue to support the preparation of the planning application.
This includes:
- Transport Assessment
- Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
- Ecology Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment
- Heritage Statement
- Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy
- Agricultural Land Classification Assessment
- Air Quality Assessment
- Ground Conditions and Environmental Studies
The findings of these assessments will help ensure the proposals are deliverable, sustainable and appropriately integrated into their surroundings.
Benefits of the Proposals
The proposals at land east of Swanlow Lane would deliver a range of benefits for Winsford and the wider borough.
New Homes
Around 450 new homes would make a significant contribution towards meeting identified housing needs in Winsford and across Cheshire West and Chester.
Affordable Housing
The proposals would include policy-compliant 30% affordable housing to help meet local demand and improve access to housing for local people.
Green Space and Recreation
Extensive areas of public open space, including natural green space, play areas and walking routes, would create opportunities for recreation and wellbeing.
Biodiversity Enhancements
The proposals would deliver habitat creation, landscape planting and ecological improvements, including a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.
Better Connectivity
New pedestrian links and improved access to public transport would help support more sustainable travel choices.
Investment in Local Infrastructure
Financial contributions secured through the planning process could support improvements to local infrastructure, including education, healthcare and highways.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have addressed some common questions about our emerging proposals. We will continue to review, update and add to these FAQs as the consultation progresses.
What is being proposed?
Muller Property Group is bringing forward proposals for around 450 new homes on land east of Swanlow Lane, alongside public open space, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and associated development.
Why is this site being considered?
The site adjoins the existing built-up area of Winsford and is located in a sustainable and accessible location identified through the Council’s plan-making process as suitable for future growth.
Will affordable housing be provided?
Yes. The proposals include policy-compliant affordable housing in line with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning policies.
What type of homes are proposed?
The development would provide a mix of 1–5 bedroom homes designed to meet a range of local housing needs.
How will landscape and ecology be protected?
Existing trees, hedgerows and the Firwood Brook corridor will be retained and enhanced as part of a landscape-led masterplan focused on biodiversity and green infrastructure.
How will flood risk be addressed?
Technical work confirms that the developable areas of the site are within Flood Zone 1. Sustainable drainage systems will be integrated throughout the development to manage surface water appropriately.
Will there be new walking routes?
Yes. The proposals include improved pedestrian links connecting the site with surrounding neighbourhoods, local amenities, bus stops and Winsford Town Centre.
How has the masterplan been developed?
The emerging proposals have been informed by a wide range of technical assessments covering transport, ecology, drainage, landscape and heritage considerations.
What happens next?
Following this consultation, feedback will be reviewed and used to help refine the proposals before a hybrid planning application is submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Once submitted, the application will be subject to a further period of statutory consultation.
Have Your Say
We want to hear your views on the emerging proposals.
Feedback received through this consultation will help inform the ongoing design development and preparation of the planning application.
You can provide comments by:
Completing the online feedback form
Email: land@muller-property.co.uk
Please include ‘Winsford Consultation’ within the subject line.
Call: 0800 788 0900
(Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:30pm)
Post: Winsford Consultation, Muller Property Group, The Point, Crewe Road, Alsager, Cheshire, ST7 2GP
Please submit your feedback by Friday 12th June 2026.
Next Steps
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this consultation.
All feedback received will be carefully reviewed by the project team and used to help shape the emerging proposals.
Muller Property Group intends to submit an hybrid planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council later this year.
A Statement of Community Involvement will accompany the application, summarising the consultation undertaken and explaining how feedback has informed the proposals.
Once the application has been submitted and registered, there will be a further opportunity for residents and stakeholders to comment through the Council’s formal consultation process.
Consultation & Engagement
Community engagement is an important part of the planning process.
Muller Property Group is committed to ongoing dialogue with local residents, stakeholders, Winsford Town Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council as the proposals continue to evolve.
This consultation represents an opportunity for the community to help shape the future of the site before a planning application is submitted.
How We Use and Protect Your Data
Muller Property Group is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
When you contact us in relation to the proposed development or submit feedback as part of this consultation, we may collect personal information such as your name, address and email address. This information is used to review and respond to comments, identify key issues raised, and to include a summary of consultation responses within the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).
In line with the planning process, a full copy of consultation responses, including personal details, may be submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to demonstrate who has been consulted and to ensure comments are available for consideration. The SCI may be published online by the LPA in accordance with their own data protection policies. Should the application be subject to an appeal, this information may also be shared with the Planning Inspectorate.
Your contact details may be used to inform you of future consultations relating to this site. Your data will not be used for marketing purposes and will not be shared with third parties for commercial use.
Land off Swanlow Lane, Winsford