Prestige office building thrown out

TOWN Hall planning chiefs at Warrington have thrown out plans for a prestigious, four-storey office building – because of fears it would lead to unacceptable increases in traffic.
The shock decision was made by members of the borough council’s development control committee, who refused permission for the development at Garrett Field, Birchwood after making a site inspection.
It is likely to result in an appeal.
The proposal, for land adjoining the existing Stanford House, was put forward by developers Capital and Provincial Ltd.
It would have provided 141 car parking space, some in an underground facilities and the rest by providing additional surface parking.
Objections were received from one nearby resident and concerns were also expressed by Birchwood Town Council.
Planning officers recommended the scheme be approved. They said the principle of office development was acceptable in the area and the design of the proposed building was satisfactory.
The nearest homes were far enough away so as not to be affected.
But the committee decided the extra traffic on Birchwood’s road network would be unacceptable and also were unhappy about the loss of trees and landscaped areas the development would cause.