Welcome to Booths Park
Thank you for visiting our consultation website for Booths Park in Knutsford. Our vision is to create a vibrant, mixed-use community that blends modern commercial spaces, thoughtfully designed homes, and enhanced public amenities, all while preserving the estate’s rich heritage. The development will deliver around 300 new homes in a variety of house types and tenures to meet the local need. Our overall proposals will open the site to the local community – improving accessibility, inclusivity, and creating a more welcoming place for all to enjoy.
Our proposed masterplan preserves key natural features, including mature trees and the Mere, while providing much-needed housing on safeguarded land and underutilised brownfield areas within the core commercial area and large car park of the estate.
Currently, Booths Park’s employment space is under-occupied and Knutsford’s housing need is acute. This gives the opportunity to reimagine the site to deliver a modern workspace and provide much needed housing.
Why your input matters
We are committed to delivering a development that aligns with the changing ways in which people live, work and connect, while revitalising Booths Park to bring fresh energy and purpose to the site.
Your feedback is crucial to this process. Before submitting our planning application to Cheshire East Council, we are actively seeking your input on the emerging masterplan. This is a valuable opportunity for you to help shape the design and experience of Booths Park.
Please be sure to share your feedback by Friday 14th March to ensure it can be taken into consideration.
The Masterplan
Booths Park Today
Existing Land Use
- Commercial: No.1 Booths Park
- Commercial: No. 2 Booths Park
- Commercial: No. 3 Booths Park
- Commercial: No. 4 Booths Park
- Commercial: No.5 Booths Park
- Commercial: Booths Park 6 (Portswigger)
- Commercial: Booths Hall
- Courtyard
- Commercial: Springwood
- Tatton Perk Coffee Shop
- Norbury Booths Hall moated site (Scheduled Monument)
Looking To The Future
The Proposals
Bruntwood is looking to reposition Booths Park, an existing commercial estate, into a new mixed-use village. Since the pandemic, the way people work has undergone a significant shift, with more people choosing the flexibility of working from home. As a result, many office spaces at Booths Park are now underutilised, presenting an opportunity to reimagine the space in a way that benefits the wider community.
There’s a pressing need to reimagine and revitalise Booths Park area, transforming it into a vibrant, engaging hub that meets the evolving demands of both residents and businesses. Bruntwood has developed a plan which creates new facilities that will breathe new life into the site, making it a destination rather than a static workspace.
Our aim is to accommodate as many businesses as possible within our available workspace at Booths Park. We are committed to working closely with each business to explore suitable alternative options that align with their needs and operational requirements.
Furthermore, with the growing recognition of the need for affordable housing in the area, there’s an opportunity to address this issue by integrating housing options into the revitalisation plans. By blending modern workspaces, community-focused activities, and affordable living spaces, the site could become a dynamic and sustainable part of Knutsford community’s future.
Indicative images of a typical mews street
Proposed Land Use
Booths Park offers 223,503 sq ft of office space nestled within 220 acres of picturesque countryside. The site harmonises work and well-being through a range of office spaces, from leased to serviced, offering an exceptional business environment. This is further enhanced by a newly established well-being hub, featuring Peloton fitness classes, secure bicycle storage, and vibrant community events.
Illustrative Masterplan
Housing numbers
Delivering around 300 homes to meet the urgent demand for housing in Knutsford.
Housing types
The development will offer a diverse range of housing, from affordable homes for local residents to build-to-rent units for long-term renters, ensuring a balanced mix of ownership and rental opportunities to meet community needs.
New footpaths
Introducing a network of footpaths throughout the estate, connecting to Booths Mere and surrounding countryside routes to improve connectivity, outdoor activity and enhance sustainability.
Revitalised Office Space
Revitalising office spaces to transform them into modern, flexible environments that cater to the needs of contemporary businesses, which contribute to the overall economic growth of the area. The buildings will undergo enhancements with greening and external decoration to enhance their visual appeal.
Wider Site Benefits
Delivering a variety of much-needed housing
Addressing the significant housing shortage in Knutsford by providing affordable living spaces in a wide range of house types and tenures, appealing to a wide demographic.
Environmental Sustainability
Substantial biodiversity improvements, creating a more sustainable location
Socio-Economic Benefits
Opening up public access to scenic footpaths around the site with associated health and wellness benefits. Creating a vibrant community hub with new facilities including food and beverage/boutique hotel, local shop and leisure facilities, including padel courts.
Preserving Rich Heritage
Preserving the scheduled monument and making it accessible to the public while protecting the key historic elements of the site
Supporting Local Infrastructure
Reducing commuting traffic by providing more local housing, decreasing congestion and lowering emissions. An enhanced public access network to the estate’s woodland, parkland and Blue and Green Corridors. This includes delivering the Cycle Route for Improvement and Aspirational Cycling Route identified in the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan
Boosting the Local Economy
We are making a major investment in Booths Park to stimulate the local economy, create new jobs, and provide opportunities for businesses to grow and develop. By repositioning Booths Park as a thriving, employment-led destination with a broader mix of uses, we’re ensuring it remains a highly attractive place to work, do business and connect with the wider community.
Our Proposals At A Glance
Housing Need
There is a pressing need for new housing in Knutsford as the town faces significant challenges in meeting local housing demand. Recent adjustments to local authorities’ housing targets introduced by the Government in December 2024 require an increase of 40% in housing delivery across Cheshire East compared to the figures in the current Local Plan. However, Knutsford is currently behind on its housing targets, with only 150 of the 950 required homes completed by the end of 2023.
Additionally, Knutsford has experienced no population growth since 2021, and the working-age population has declined. This demographic shift is putting considerable strain on local employers and high street businesses, who are struggling to maintain a stable workforce. The lack of available housing for working-age individuals is directly affecting the town’s economic resilience, as employers seek to attract new talent to sustain their operations.
Knutsford’s housing market currently faces a shortage of supply and a limited variety of housing options. The high cost of living in the area means that only those with higher incomes can afford to either live or move into the town. This limits community diversity and makes it difficult for many individuals and families to settle in the area.
In response to these challenges, Bruntwood is aiming to deliver around 300 homes that cater to a broader demographic. They will help ensure that working families, young professionals, and individuals at varying income levels have access to quality living spaces. This will not only contribute to addressing the housing shortfall but also provide a much-needed boost to Knutsford’s local economy, supporting both residents and businesses alike.
The development will include affordable housing on both the safeguarded land and the brownfield sites, ensuring a significant portion of the sites provides homes that are accessible to those with varying income levels. Affordable housing will be strategically interspersed throughout the sites to promote an integrated community, ensuring social diversity and inclusivity.
Bruntwood anticipates providing housing on the brownfield sites in the form of “Build to Rent”. These housing developments are designed exclusively for the rental market, with Bruntwood retaining ownership and providing long-term professional management. This type of housing and tenure is currently unavailable in Knutsford or Cheshire East. By targeting all demographics and delivering different types of homes, from apartments through to 4/5 bedroom family houses, across a range of tenures, the development aims to create a balanced and vibrant neighbourhood that addresses the housing needs of Knutsford, while enhancing the area’s overall character and accessibility for current and future residents.
Access and Movement
Knutsford serves as a vital employment hub within Cheshire East, with the number of jobs in the area exceeding the local workforce. Approximately 5,000 workers commute into and out of Knutsford each day. This heavy reliance on external workers is contributing to significant environmental challenges, particularly in the form of increased traffic congestion and higher emissions.
The sheer volume of daily commuters not only strains the town’s infrastructure but also places additional pressure on local road networks.
The environmental impact of this commuting trend could be reduced through the provision of more housing in the area, allowing workers to live closer to where they work, which would reduce the need for long-distance travel and its associated environmental footprint.
Knutsford also experiences considerable daily traffic congestion due to the influx of families driving their children to the area’s highly regarded schools. This school traffic adds to the pressure on local roads, causing delays and impacting overall traffic flow.
New housing developments could help address this issue by increasing the local population, allowing more families to live closer to work and school. This would reduce the number of non-residents commuting into the area, easing traffic congestion and improving movement, especially during peak hours.
Booths Park is located with a 20–30 minute walking journey from Knutsford town centre which offers a range of amenities, also minimising the need to travel by car.
The parking strategy for the site will cater to residents’ needs whilst seeking to encourage use of sustainable modes of travel and minimise the impact on the surrounding highway network. The parking for the existing, underutilised offices would be reduced, while maintaining sufficient provision for tenants.
The development would improve and extend the existing footpath network and improve access to the site by public transport.
Each planning application will be supported by a Transport Assessment that sets out the multi-modal transport aspects of the development, and a robust Travel Plan that encourages use of sustainable modes of travel.
Office buildings and access road
The new access road will be lined with substantial tree planting to minimise the visual impact. Additionally, the commercial office buildings will be enhanced with greening.
Creating an open, inclusive and welcoming estate
The map below highlights how the masterplan enhances access and connectivity for the community at Booths Park.
Prioritising the Environment
Bruntwood is committed to a sustainable future. Sustainability has been in our DNA since Bruntwood was formed in 1976, prioritising the restoration of existing buildings over demolition. As a developer, employer, and partner, we embed sustainability into everything we do, driving strategies that enhance the environmental impact of our towns and cities.
Our mission to create thriving towns and cities goes hand in hand with our commitment to achieving net zero. We take a dual approach: upgrading existing buildings and developing new, low-carbon spaces designed for net zero construction and operation. Smart technology in our buildings optimises energy use, reducing waste and emissions.
In 2020, we launched Unify Energy, the first fully regulated energy supply business by a commercial property company, giving customers direct access to sustainable energy solutions. Our sites currently generate enough solar power for 250 homes annually, and we are expanding solar installations across all new developments.
By 2030, all our spaces will run on renewable electricity, with the goal of becoming a fully net zero business by 2050, ensuring a sustainable future for our communities, customers, and the environment.
Biodiversity and Landscaping
Booths Hall lies at the heart of some 220 acres of attractive parkland and open farmland comprising the wider estate. This together with the Mere creates a special place of stunning natural beauty. Our plans for the estate aim to further enhance and complement this landscape, preserving its charm while sensitively introducing new elements of built form.
Protecting our Heritage
Booths Park is a historic estate, first recorded in 1230 and associated with the Legh family until 1917, when it was purchased by Arthur William Cowburn. Bruntwood purchased Booths Hall in 2004. The park now includes a small portion of the original estate, with notable features such as the moated site of the medieval hall, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a mid-19th century garden, Booth’s Mere, and numerous historic parkland trees.
The Scheduled Ancient Monument, a rare example in Cheshire of an elongated D-shaped moated site, is complemented by an extensive system of fishponds and dense woodland.
The entrance drive, lined with trees, and the western parkland have largely remained unchanged since 1847. The late-19th century Arts and Crafts lodge and Booths Park House, built in the early-mid 20th century, further enhance the historic character of the estate.
The 1745-built Hall, a red brick Italianate structure, is accompanied by historic kitchen garden walls that offer insight into the estate’s previous layout and function.
Despite changes over the years, the estate’s landscape remains of high local significance and Bruntwood is committed to its preservation and enhancement. As part of the development, the Scheduled Ancient Monument, currently largely hidden from view, will be carefully restored, and for the first time there will be public access, allowing the community to appreciate and experience the rich heritage of the area.
The overall development proposals have been designed through extensive consultation and heritage assessment, focused on preserving the estate’s heritage while introducing sympathetic development. This includes carefully considered landscaping, sensitive building design and massing to limit impacts on heritage assets, along with new pathways for public access to enhance connectivity and the community’s enjoyment of this historic estate.
FAQ
FAQ
What is safeguarded land?
Safeguarded land is land on the edge of an urban area which has been specifically removed from the Green Belt to meet future development needs.
What type of homes will be available at Booths Park?
A wide range of housing options will be available on the site, catering to all demographics. This includes homes for sale, affordable housing and build-to-rent properties. The type of homes will include apartments, duplex’s and 2–4-bedroom family houses.
How many homes are proposed?
When will the homes be available?
Once planning permission is granted, construction work can commence on the site with the first properties expected to become available from 2027.
Will the homes be energy efficient?
Yes, Bruntwood is dedicated to ensuring that all new developments, including homes, meet high sustainability standards. We understand the importance of creating energy-efficient homes that not only reduce environmental impact but also help homeowners save on energy costs in the long term.
Will parking for each home be available?
Yes, each property will have access to their own parking
How can I register my interest for the housing?
All inquiries regarding the new properties can be directed to, enquiries@bruntwood.co.uk
What local transport links are available?
Booths Park is conveniently located on the outskirts of Knutsford town centre, with good links to local rail and bus services.
The development will also include new footpaths and access roads, improving cycling and walking options to the town.
What will happen to the customers working in the buildings which are proposed for demolition?
Our aim is to accommodate as many businesses as possible within our available workspace at Booths Park. We are committed to working closely with each business to explore suitable alternative options that align with their needs and operational requirements.
How will the new sub-station benefit the development?
Currently, Knutsford faces significant electricity capacity limitations. In collaboration with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), a new primary substation will be installed to provide energy for the Booths Park development as well as reinforcing capacity within the wider power network serving Knutsford.
What will happen to the on-site Farm?
The farm and its buildings are not part of these proposals. Over time our ambition is to move to a new regenerative farming approach across the estate. Regenerative farming is low input agriculture which works with nature.
How will the community benefit from the development of Booths Park?
The development will bring a wide range of community benefits, including greatly increased access in and around the estate, new hospitality and community leisure facilities, improved outdoor spaces and public access to the Scheduled M.
It will also create jobs during the construction phase and provide more housing options for the local community.
What measures are being taken to protect the environment and enhance biodiversity?
The development will preserve mature trees, introduce extensive new landscaping and over time implement regenerative farming practices all of which will support biodiversity and secure a nature-friendly long-term stewardship of the estate.
How will the development affect traffic in Knutsford?
Currently there is a significant net inflow of workers into Knutsford each day. The development aims to reduce reliance on this commuting pattern by providing new housing close to the Booths Park employment hubs and on the edge of the Additionally, new pathways, cycleway and publicly accessible roads will be created to improve connectivity within the site and avoid congestion.
What are the next steps?
The local community has until Friday 14th March to submit their comments as part of the consultation. There will be a public event on Friday 28th February at Booths Park. All feedback will be reviewed and summarised and Bruntwood will submit their application in spring 2025.
Have your Say
We are committed to engaging with local residents and stakeholders about our vision for Booths Park. We want to deliver a high-quality, vibrant development that the local community can be proud of, so please take this opportunity to view our proposals. Please be sure to share your feedback by Friday 14th March to ensure it can be taken into consideration as part of this consultation.
Please complete the feedback form below to share your views:
Additionally, you can contact our team via the below:
Calling us at 0161 711 0293 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm)
Writing to us at FREEPOST, SHAPE TOMORROW
All feedback received will be summarised in a Statement of Community Involvement which will be submitted to the Council alongside the planning application.
About Us - Bruntwood
Bruntwood is a family-owned and operated business with nearly 50 years of experience, initially founded with the vision of transforming underutilised buildings into thriving commercial spaces. Today, our focus has expanded to creating vibrant, community-driven spaces that encourage innovation and growth. We aim to build inspiring places that are futureproof and meaningful for all who use them.
Operating across key locations in the UK, including Greater Manchester and Cheshire, we are committed to offering a balanced mix of work and lifestyle opportunities. Our people-first approach shapes everything we do, ensuring that our customers, communities, and colleagues are always our top priority. With a strong commitment to innovation, we continuously push the boundaries of what a place can be, creating environments that inspire success and collaboration.
