CONTROVERSIAL plans to build nine executive homes on former green belt land in south Warrington have been deferred by councillors.
The planning application related to land in North View, off Stretton Road in Stretton.
It was discussed at a planning meeting of the Development Management Committee at Warrington Borough Council on Thursday night.
Following an initial vote, councillors opted to reject the proposals with two abstentions.
A subsequent motion was tabled which saw the application deferred for further information about badgers and information regarding housing density.
Stretton Parish Council had objected due to concerns about housing density which is why it was brought before councillors at Warrington Borough Council.
Head of development Niki Gallagher explained that it had previously been in green belt land and had been refused with a subsequent appeal refused in August with the main issues principle, highways and ecology.
Since then, the land has been removed from green belt.
Cllr Judith Wheeler questioned why there was no mention of sustainability. “These are nine executive houses on a piece of land with very infrequent bus services and the developer doesn’t have to provide any affordable housing.
“Why is there no mention of sustainability?”
Cllr Una Gillham said: “I do not understand why for these nine houses we are riding roughshod over ecology. What is happening to Great Crested Newts?”
Head of development Niki Gallagher explained that it’s now assumed that newts are going to be on sites and developers pay a fee to Natural England to mitigate for this.
Cllr Steve Parish said Stretton Parish Council’s objection on density grounds was “a bit vague.”
The application was deferred.
