The final phase of the Kingsbourne housing development in Nantwich is well underway but concerns still linger on parking within the town and delays to the bypass which are integral to the huge scheme.

Redrow, the housebuilders behind the popular destination for house-hunters since the first houses on the 324-house estate were built in 2018 will also be handing over the final instalment of the community contributions, which totals £1 million.

The wider development will see over 1,000 properties built by the consortium of Redrow and fellow housebuilders, Taylor Wimpey and David Wilson Homes and it is projected that it will generate around £1.2 million per year in extra council tax revenue.

Redrow's contributions to the local community, as part of the planning consent's section 106 agreements will total nearly £2.75 million and will go towards a new primary school, highway improvements and public realm provision for the development itself.

Work on the new primary school has yet to get underway but a consultation with local residents has been completed.

The housing project is not without controversy, however. Part of the agreement for the new houses was for the Reaseheath bypass to be completed, which has been at a standstill for a year.

It was initially projected to finish in March 2022 but was delayed again to October, so Cheshire East Council, Cheshire East Highways, and the consortium could assess the need for pedestrian crossings.

Cheshire East Council submitted those plans last week but in a statement gave no timeframe as to when it could be completed. Speaking to Nantwich News last week, the consortium said it was still subject to 'an ongoing planning application' but was 'working with the council to reach a resolution as soon as possible.'

The consortium itself has provided community contributions of what will eventually total an £8.3 million funding injection.

The final instalment of £1 million, covering further education and highway contributions, is likely to be paid by the end of next year, subject to the number of homes completed, which was initially 750 homes as agreed under the original section 106 agreement.

The final affordable homes to be built by Redrow are expected to be completed and handed over by the end of next year.

Anna Evans-Kerr, sales director at Redrow Homes (NW), said: "The fourth and final phase at Kingsbourne marks a major milestone for this flourishing development and, as it progresses, will unlock even more funds for the local community. Since launching in 2018, we've welcomed 163 new Redrow homeowners so far and look forward to seeing many more move into brand-new homes.

"Once completed, the final phase will provide a range of 66 homes to suit those on different stages of the housing ladder and includes 35 three and four-bedroom homes for private and 31 affordable homes to meet local needs."

Within the master plan, provision was set aside for a new commercial and community hub which will provide possible new commercial and retail opportunities and provide a boost to the local economy.

Concerns were raised during the consultation period that parking would not be sufficient in the town centre to cope.

Cllr Pete Groves said last year during a council meeting: "If you look at Kingsbourne, we've got 900 odd houses coming on stream, we're just about to get another 80 odd houses on the site on Peter Destapleigh Way, so that's around 1,000 houses.

"Those people that live on Kingsbourne or Peter Destapleigh, they're not going to walk into Nantwich every time.

"They'll go in and they'll want somewhere to park. Nobody is talking about how that is going to be addressed."

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