Homes plan for eyesore site rejected

A PLAN to build four new houses on an old, eyesore garage site at Warrington has been thrown out by planning chiefs.
The proposed development in Ford Street, Warrington involved four terraced houses designed to blend in with existing terraced houses in the street.
But it also included an attached dormer bungalow at one end of the terrace – and planners ruled that it would be “incongruous and inconsistent” next to the terraced block.
Nearby residents attended the meeting and pleaded with councillors to approve the scheme to remove the eyesore site.
Planners accepted the site was currently vacant and unsightly and its redevelopment for housing would have obvious visual and economic benefits for the local area.
They agreed that residential development would improve vibrancy and activity in Ford Street and address fly tipping problems.
The four terraced houses were broadly consistent with the character of the local area.
But the proposed dormer bungalow was a different matter, however.
A report to the borough council’s planning committee stated: “It disrupts the balance, symmetry and unity of the block and would appear as an incongruous and inconsistent adjunct to the terraced block. There are no examples of similar single storey dwellings close by.”
The scheme had already been rejected once by officers, under delegated powers.
There were no objections from the council’s environmental health and highways departments, nor from United Utilities.
The plan was also consistent with the council’s Unitary Development Plan and Core Strategy housing objectives.
But it was turned down because of the dormer bungalow.
Councillors indicated that if the plan were re-submitted without the bungalow it might receive more favourable consideration.