Councillors at Cheshire East Council have delivered a decisive verdict, unanimously rejecting plans to build up to nine new homes on the outskirts of Alderley Edge. The refusal centres on a fierce debate over whether the land should be classified as protected green belt or the newly defined 'grey belt'.
The Site and The Proposal
The outline application was submitted by Henderson Homes for a 0.46 hectare parcel of land situated off Heyes Lane, adjacent to a property known as Jenny Heyes. The proposal included the construction of up to nine properties alongside a new access route.
This particular site already holds a 'permission in principle' for up to nine affordable homes, granted in March 2024 under a different applicant. That earlier application was approved because it proposed 100 per cent affordable housing to meet a specific local need, a circumstance that qualifies as an exception to normal green belt development rules.
A Clash Over Classification
The council's own planning officers had recommended that the latest application be approved. Their recommendation was based on recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), arguing that the site should now be considered 'grey belt' land, a designation that can allow for more flexible development.
However, members of the planning committee strongly disagreed with this assessment. Councillors from across the political spectrum stood united in their view that the land remains protected green belt and that the development would be located in an unsustainable area.
Councillor Tony Dean (Knutsford, Con) stated, "To me, this is clearly green belt... I would think that we ought to consider refusing this and testing out what the inspector says."
Echoing this sentiment, Councillor Fiona Wilson (Macclesfield, Lab) was unequivocal: "This is clearly green belt land. I don't accept any argument that it's grey belt land... this is not an application that meets the criteria as I understand them."
Precedent and Safety Concerns
The debate highlighted the significance of the case as one of the first tests of the new grey belt policy for the local authority. Councillor Judy Snowball (Macclesfield, Lab) emphasised this point, noting, "If this is the first test that's going to come before this committee, it's an important test and it's going to set a precedent."
Further grounds for refusal were raised concerning highway safety. Councillor Anthony Harrison (Chelford, Con), who formally proposed the refusal, identified this as a key issue, stating, "I think highways safety is key for this application."
The final decision, reached on Wednesday, 17th November 2025, was a unanimous vote to refuse the application. The official reasons for refusal cited the site's status as green belt land and concerns that the development would not be in a sustainable location, particularly regarding safe and suitable access.
