Homes plan approved – for the third time

MORE than two years after it first came before Warrington planners, a major housing development has been given the green light – for the third time.
The development of 104 houses on land once using for industrial dumping off Marsden Avenue, Latchford can go ahead on the basis of 70 per cent for sale on the open market and 30 per cent for affordable rent.
Developers Halebank Developments (Warrington) Ltd had a second re-think over their proposals which, members of the borough council’s development management committee agreed, will bring about a significant improvement to the area..
Originally the scheme was approved on the basis of 104 properties with 70 per cent affordable rented houses and 30 per cent for sale at market prices.
Then in June last year, amended proposals were approved on the basis of 100 per cent affordable homes – half for rent and half for intermediate or shared ownership.
Planning officers recommended the twice-revised scheme be approved because the proportion of affordable homes is still acceptable.
Earlier on in its history, the scheme was held up because of fears of contaminated land
The site was formerly used for the disposal of slurried waste from local tanneries and local residents expressed concern about possible contamination.
Local councillor Steve Wright (pictured) was one who expressed concern about possible contamination.
But officers are satisfied the development can safely go ahead.
Tipping of waste on the site ended around 1980 when it was capped with a thin covering of soil and allowed to re-vegetate. Ground gas was known to be generated on the site, however.
However, after 18 months of talks with consultants robust remedial measures were agreed to protect property from the gases.
Part of the site – the south west corner – was declared “undevelopable” due to human health risks from ground gases.