Plan for 170 new homes approved despite major opposition

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for 170 new homes on a greenfield site has been given the go-ahead by Warrington planning chiefs despite major opposition from nearby residents and councillors.

Lymm Parish Council, 28 nearby residents and local borough councillor Ian Marks lodged objections to the scheme which involves three fields on either side of Warrington Road, Lymm.
But the borough’s development management committee approved the outline proposals.
The area involves three fields and amounts to 7.2 hectares. Detailed proposals will follow.
Applicants Gladman Developments consulted Lymm Parish Council, local borough councillors and MP Andy Carter before submitting the proposals.
Objections were mainly based on Green Belt and traffic issues and road safety concerns at nearby Statham Primary School. Residents highlighted existing traffic congestion on Warrington Road and the lack of shops and other amenities to serve the new homes. The new residents would be forced to use cars for even local shopping in Lymm village.

There were also concerns about a well-used public footpath which crosses the site, linking Warrington Road with the TransPennine Trail and the Bridgwater Canal.
Gladman said the scheme would include structural landscape planting and the retention and positive management of key landscape features.

There would be about 2.79 hectares of green infrastructure, including amenity space, a new woodland belt and recreational routes. Tree-lined streets are envisaged within the development. Most existing trees on the site would be retained.

There would be pedestrian links to Warrington Road and the Trans Pennine Trail including a new footpath connecting to the footpath outside Statham Primary School.
Heavy screening would be provided between the site and Statham Lodge Hotel.
Planning officers said the site was removed from the Green Belt with the adoption of the Warrington Local Plan last year.