The Garden Village at Handforth
In September 2023 planning permission was granted for the development of a new garden village on the east side of Handforth. The village will provide at least 1,500 new homes, and a village centre with a new primary and secondary ‘through’ school, extra care accommodation, a community hub, and new employment space, set within extensive green open spaces and a design which prioritises walking and cycling.
The council owns approximately 70% of the site and the Economic Development Service is currently exploring a potential Investment Partnership with MADE Partnership as a mechanism to deliver the village. Funding has been awarded from Homes England towards the cost of the new infrastructure needed to unlock the site.
Garden Village Handforth application update
Since the original approval in September 2023, MADE Partnership (a joint venture between Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group), has carried out further technical studies and masterplanning on the site and this detailed work identified some necessary practical refinements to the existing planning consent to ensure the scheme can be built quickly, sustainably and viably.
The correct process to follow to make the necessary changes to vary the existing consent is via a Section 73 application, which MADE Partnership will submit in June 2026
What is a Section 73 application
Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is a procedure that allows changes to be made to conditions previously imposed and results in the grant of a new permission.
In the case of Garden Village Handforth this application will vary certain conditions that refer to approved plans and documents and where alterations are proposed, new plans and documents will replace those approved previously. There will also be updates made to the wording of individual conditions and conditions will also be added on removed where necessary, in order that the planning permission is regularised in line with the updated proposal.
Why these changes are needed
The proposed changes are essentially adjustments to some of the approved plans, such as updating the infrastructure layout, plot configuration and phasing so that the infrastructure can be delivered smoothly and align with the evolving design of the new Garden Village.
The description of development as already approved will not change.
The fundamental vision for the Garden Village, including its commitment to sustainable design, green space, community facilities, and integration with surrounding areas remains intact.
What changes are being proposed
The key amendments proposed are as follows:
- Some of the roads, junctions and associated infrastructure that have already been approved in full detail (known as the Initial Primary Infrastructure Works) have been redesigned. The main roundabout access points from the A34 remain in the same locations as originally approved
- Corresponding amendments to improve the connectivity of green corridors and public open spaces throughout the development
- The earth mound to the south-east of the Total Fitness facility that was intended for relocation as part of the originally approved earthworks will now be kept in its current position
- Certain elements around the planned village centre are proposed to be repositioned to create a stronger 'heart' for the new community for example the education and extra care parcels. These land-use changes do not add or remove any uses beyond those that were originally approved
The original application was subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment and so an Addendum to the Environmental Statement (ES) is to be submitted with the application, which will assess the revised proposals in line with the Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2017. A number of technical studies will also be appended to the ES Addendum, including but not limited to, Transport, Drainage, Ecology, Air Quality, Noise and Heritage.
Other replacement documents that are to be submitted with the application include a Planning Statement that will clearly set out the nature of changes proposed and a Design and Access Statement Addendum that will explain the rationale behind the design changes that have been made.
In addition to the above, the Section 73 application will detail corresponding updates to the 'approved plans' list and conditions.
What happens next
The Section 73 application will be submitted by MADE Partnership in June 2026. This webpage will be updated with the latest information as it progresses.
When the Section 73 application is submitted by MADE Partnership to Cheshire East Council’s Planning Service, the council will send out formal notification letters to residents. That will mark the start of an official consultation period during which you can review the detailed plans and submit comments directly to the council’s Planning Service for consideration.
All interested residents are encouraged to engage in the formal consultation when it opens. This will be your opportunity to provide feedback to the council about the proposed changes. Your views will be taken into account by the council when it decides whether to approve the Section 73 amendments.
Useful links
If you have any queries please email: GardenVillageHandforth@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Contact Economic Development team
Page last reviewed: 22 May 2026
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