Darnhall School Lane, Winsford

Welcome

Welcome to Richborough Residential’s consultation on the draft proposals for development at Land off Darnhall School Lane, Winsford.

Feedback from the local community and key stakeholders is important to us. All comments will be carefully considered as we develop and shape our proposals.

Once we have considered the feedback from this consultation, Richborough’s intention is to submit an Outline Planning Application for residential development with access off Darnhall School Lane, to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Details on the layout and appearance of the proposal will be submitted to the Council for consideration at a later stage.

We would be grateful if you could take the time to review the information on this webpage and let us know your views.

Kindly note that this consultation exercise is in addition to the Statutory Consultation the Council will undertake following the submission of any formal planning application.

Site Context ⭢

  • The site extends to 15.2 hectares and comprises four agricultural fields.

  • The site offers limited ecological and habitat value due to the current agricultural use of the land. The hedgerows dividing the land parcels, and those located on the field margins, are to be retained as part of any future proposals.



Site Location and Proposed Masterplan

Emerging Proposals

Richborough is proposing a residential-led development, which will assist the Council in meeting its need to deliver sufficient homes to meet identified demand.

The current proposals are illustrated on the Framework Plan and:

  • Will include up to 300 dwellings to the south-west of Winsford, which is a settlement identified by the Council as a principal focus for future growth in the Borough.

  • Will see the delivery of housing in a sustainable and accessible location, making efficient use of land.

  • Will retain existing trees and hedgerows on the site, including the planting of a new community orchard.

  • Will provide additional planting of trees and hedgerows to the west and south of the site to form a landscape buffer and screen the site from the countryside.

  • Will deliver housing which reflects the surrounding character of existing development to the immediate north and east, as well as the recently developed residential estate to the west.

  • Will provide a new vehicular access off Darnhall School Lane via a ‘priority junction’ which will not require traffic lights.

  • Will deliver a minimum of 30% of housing classified as affordable: for sale or rent at reduced values.

  • Will include large areas of Public Open Space around the housing; including outdoor play provision for all ages, provisional spacing for allotments, a linear park edge, and a common.

  • Will feature attenuation basins to contain rainfall, with water released from the site at a controlled rate, ensuring no increased risk of flooding in the locality.

  • A net increase in Biodiversity of at least 10% when compared with the current ecological value of the site.

Have your say

To provide your feedback on the proposals, you are welcome to complete the consultation questionnaire below or you can submit comments via:

Completing
The online feedback form

Post: Darnhall School Lane, Asteer Planning, 55 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HQ

Please provide your comments by 1st September 2025.

Next Steps

Thank you for your time in participating in this community consultation. Your feedback is important to Richborough and all comments received will be taken into consideration.

As part of the outline planning application, a Statement of Community Involvement will be prepared, which will detail the feedback received and how it has been considered.

Richborough is aiming to submit a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council later this year.

Once the application is registered by Cheshire West and Chester Council, there will be further opportunity to comment on the final proposals through the Council’s own formal consultation process.