Doubts over plan for old farm buildings

PLANNING bosses are at Warrington to visit the site of a controversial scheme to convert old farm buildings into offices.
Croft Parish Council and nearby residents are opposed to the proposals at Sandy Brow Lodge, Sandy Brow Lane, Croft. Officers are also recommending refusal because they consider the scheme inappropriate in the Green Belt.
But members of the borough’s development control committee decided to go and see the site for themselves before reaching a decision.
The plan involves converting two redundant agricultural buildings and removing two grain silos. A car park for 24 vehicles would be provided.
Officers said the scheme would involve the complete reconstruction of the two buildings to make them suitable for offices, with new walls, roofs and interiors.
Very special circumstances would be required to justify such a major reconstruction of buildings in the Green Belt and, although there would be some benefit in terms of providing employment, this would not outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.
Croft Parish Council said the proposed development is not compatible with the surrounding area, there is insufficient drainage or energy sources to support the scheme and the road has a 60mph speed limit and bends would did not allow sufficient visibility at the site access.
Neighbours argued that the site had poor visibility, traffic conditions were already poor and there would noise, disturbance and a loss of character.
The application will be considered again at the next meeting of the committee.