CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 78 houses in the heart of one of the Warrington area’s smallest villages come before borough planners next week.
The scheme, put forward by housebuilder Bloor Homes, involves land east off Stretton Road, Appleton Thorn.
It is opposed by upwards of 170 nearby residents but supported by 39. Appleton Parish Council is also objecting and officers are recommending it be refused.
Three years ago, Bloor homes announced proposals to build the houses amid a blaze of publicity.
Several exhibitions were held to show the advantages the development would have for Appleton Thorn. But residents were not convinced and an action group was set up to fight the scheme.
They claimed it was a greenfield site, unsuitable for development which, because of its size, would change the whole character of the village.
Increased traffic on already congested roads, noise and a lack of public transport were also put forward as reasons for refusal, along with damage to the environment and local heritage.
The application will be considered by the borough council’s development management committee on Wednesday.
Site of the proposed development
78 houses planned for one of borough’s smallest villages
11 Comments
1 Comment
Where are all these unrealistic, opportunist planning applications coming from?
The fact that we have a planning department unable to produce a local plan that would stand up to scrutiny, hence now, no up to date local plan, seems to have prompted developers to think that they now have an opportunity to get even the wildest of applications passed.
With no local plan there is a “presumption in favour of development” – but this does not mean a free for all opportunity to develop on what small pieces of green land we have left.
Hopefully the development control committee are more ‘on the ball’ than the planning dept and are up to date with recent case history and Secretary of State determinations.