Housing plans put on hold

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are to visit the site of a controversial housing proposals before deciding if it can go ahead.
The proposed development by Redrow Homes on land off Doeford Close, Culcheth, has sparked massive opposition in the village.
Almost 180 nearby residents have lodged objections and there have also been objections from Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council
About 30 members of the public packed into a meeting of the borough council’s development management committee to hear the application deferred, pending the site visit.
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 argue that greenfield sites should not be developed ahead of brownfield land.
They say the impact of traffic flow in Culcheth village would be “catastrophic.”
In addition, there are 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.