100 oppose plans for housing on Green Belt land

MORE than 100 nearby residents have joined with parish councillors to oppose a plan to build 64 homes on a four hectare Green Belt site at Lymm.
Borough councillor Ian Marks is also opposing the scheme put forward by Bellway homes for Tanyard Farm, off Rushgreen Road.
But planning officers will be recommending the scheme be approved when it comes before Warrington’s development management committee next months.
HJstorically, the site has been used for horticulture but in more recent years it has been used for a variety of purposes including light industry, a gym and storage.
Parts of the site are hardstanding, but there is also a large pond, wooded areas and the bult of the site is in the Green Belt.
There are a number of single-storey buildings on the site, including containers, polytunnels and green houses. Many are in a poor stage.
Cllr Marks objects on Green Belt grounds and says it is important to retain open space between Lymm and Oughtrington. He believes the development would have a negative impact on Lymm’s attractive environment. Existing buisinesses will be lost, there will be additional traffic on an already hazardous road and there is a risk that affordable housing will not be provided.
Neighbours claim the development would be harmful and inappropriate and the parish council objects on Green Belt grounds.
But planning officers say the development includes and ecological enhancement area, increased open space and landscaped areas. There would also be an area of public open space and a play area. Part of the site would be restored to grassland. Of the 64 houses, 24 would be affordable.
On balance, it is considered that other considerations clearly outweigh harm to the Green Belt and that compelling very special circumstances exist which justify approval of the proposed development.

Part of the site