180 fight new homes plan

NEARLY 180 residents have lodged objections to a housing project which comes before Warrington planners tonight (Thursday).
The proposal has been put forward by Redrow Homes and involves 26 dwellings – 18 of them detached, two-storey houses – on land off Doeford Close, Culcheth.
A strong objections has also been made by Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council.
The land forms part of the former Newchurch Hospital site, which was redeveloped by Redrow in the 1990s to provide more than 200 dwellings.
It was omitted from the original development because it was within a safeguarding zone for an explosives depot operated by Orica UK Ltd at Glazebury.
However, Redrow say they are now collaborating with Orica and no development will take place in advance of changes to the exclusion zone.
Objectors draw attention to the exclusion zone and also that borough council policy is that development should take place on brown field sites before greenfield.
They say the impact of traffic flow in Culcheth village would be “catastrophic.”
In addition, there fears of parking problems, a loss of visual amenity, a lack of capacity in the local sewer system and risks of flooding from Jibcroft Brook.
They argue that there is already significant overdevelopment of Culcheth village.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved, subject to an agreement that eight of the properties being “affordable” homes.