A DEVELOPER has been refused permission to build homes close to a town centre, because its plans did not include enough affordable housing.

Morris Homes had applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to build 43 homes adjacent to the Old Mill Road roundabout, in Sandbach.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, but councillors refused to grant permission on the grounds it did not include enough affordable housing.

The 43 proposed homes would have been a mix of 31 detached and semi-detached houses with 12 apartments, of which only three properties, or seven per cent, would be affordable housing.

Councillor John Hammond, pictured, told the council's strategic planning board yesterday: "I am uneasy with the affordable housing element to this development. This railroads through our affordable housing policy and I do not think it goes anywhere near to achieving what we want in the area.

"We need to send out a strong message to developers we are not prepared to accept such a low offer of percentage of affordable homes."

A report in 2006, showed there was a shortfall of 236 two bedroom houses and 122 three bedroom houses in the area.

Councillor Barry Moran said: "There is a need for affordable homes in Sandbach.

"As much as I would like to see that site regenerated and built on I would urge Morris Homes to reconsider their approach.

"I urge them to come back with a revised proposal after speaking to councillors so we can proceed."

Morris Homes had been given permission to build 70 units, mainly apartments, on the site in 2007, of which 25 per cent would have been affordable homes.

But the developer argued the market had changed and demand for apartments had waned.

It also said the lower affordable housing portion in the revised plans was in response to the troubled housing market and fears profits would not exceed the cost of the site if it offered more houses at the affordable rate.

Coun John Wray added: "They could have moved ahead with this and done something in 2006 when they bought it and the market was stable.

"But they have left it until now and they are asking this council to buffer them against the market."

At the same meeting, a decision on an application for 63 homes on the site of the former Sutherland works, Bromley Road, Congleton, was deferred for a site visit.

It will also allow the applicant King Sturge to provide more evidence of how it has marketed the site as an employment development, and its justification for using it for residential purposes instead.

Officers have recommended the application be refused.