Office plan for farm buildings

CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert old farm buildings into offices are to be put to planning chiefs at Warrington on Wednesday (April 23).
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.
Members of the borough’s development control committee have carried out a site inspection to enable them to reach 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 say 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 says 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 say the site has poor visibility, traffic conditions are already poor and there would noise, disturbance and a loss of character. They also point out that unemployment locally is low so any new jobs would be likely to go to people from other areas.