PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have thrown out proposals to build 31 houses in the Green Belt – despite being recommended by officers to approve the scheme.
The proposals involved demolishing all existing buildings at New House Farm, in Hatton Lane, Hatton, to make way for the development.
There was major opposition from local residents, Hatton Parish Council and borough councillors Judith Wheeler and Sharon Harris.
They pointed out the site was in the Green Belt and argued that the development would not be sustainable because there were no shops, no school, no health facilities, no church and only an irregular bus service in the village.
But planning officers recommended the scheme be approved. They said it was a brownfield site and suggested the development would not have a significant impact on the Green Belt.
Given its rural location, the site was reasonably well connected by bus to nearby areas, including to areas of employment, they said.
But members of the borough’s development management committee rejected the plan.
The proposals were for a mix of six detached houses, 16 semi-detached and nine terraced houses. There would have been nine “affordable” houses, including four for rent and five for shared ownership.
