Bungalow plan splits a community

A PLAN to build a new bungalow in the garden of an existing bungalow has divided a community at Warrington.
Eight neighbours have lodged objections to the proposal in Lynton Close, Penketh – and Penketh Parish Council also opposes the scheme.
But two other neighbours support the proposals and a further 116 people living in the local area have signed a standard letter of support.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee have deferred a decision to await further information – but officers are recommending the scheme be thrown out.
The application is a re-submission of an earlier proposal which was withdrawn. A detached bungalow would be built in the grounds of an existing semi-detached bungalow and a new garage would also be built. Access would be via the entrance to the existing property with a driveway across the front of the existing property.
A sub-station is located to the side of the plot, with its own gated driveway and the proposal involves the use of this driveway for parking for the existing bungalow.
Parish councillors say the development would result in a loss of privacy and access problems and restrict access to the sub-station.
Other objectors say access to the site has always caused problems which would be exacerbated by the extra traffic. Parking in the close is already difficult and the development would result in more on-street parking.
Supporters of the scheme say the plan would provide an affordable home for a young family which would otherwise be unable to stay local and allow the extended family to support and bring up grandchildren in a caring environment.
Planning officers say inadequate provision is made for vehicle access to and from the site and would result in the displacement of parked cars onto Lynton Close, restricting the safe, free flow of vehicles.
Pictured: The existing bungalow access