CONTROVERSIAL plans for nearly 200 new homes on land at Culcheth will change the face of the village with independent Cllr Neil Johnson accusing former Labour colleagues of “failing again” after the proposals were approved last week.
But Labour’s Matt Smith hit back accusing Cllr, Johnson of a “complete failure to engage in the process.”
Cllr. Johnson was reacting to news that planning permission has been granted to deliver 194 new homes and associated infrastructure on land at Warrington Road/Holcroft Lane in Culcheth.
As reported previously by Warrington Worldwide, the new homes are reputed to come with £1.5 million worth of “community benefits” with 30% of the properties designated as affordable housing for eligible local residents.
Cllr Johnson said: “These proposed new homes will change the face of our village. Young families who are hoping to buy their first house are not looking for six-bed houses. Only 30% are classed as “affordable” for local residents, so in other words we are being priced out of our own village. That is before we mention the strain this will put on our roads, our sewage system and our local amenities. Who in Warrington Borough Council thought this was a good idea?
“I am sceptical that the promised benefits will ever materialise. This seems to once again be a case of the developers getting what they want, while Culcheth and Glazebury’s views are ignored.
“I am very disappointed that five members of the planning committee abstained when it came to the vote. Councillors should not be allowed to duck important decisions about our community like this.
“People will also be very disappointed in Cllrs Matt Smith and Janet Seddon, who have failed again. It says a lot about our local Labour councillors that they could not persuade their own Party, who run the Council, to vote against these plans.
“I pledge to work with the community to hold the developer’s feet to the fire and ensure that all of the promised benefits are delivered. We will also need to consider the strain these new homes will put on our school and GP practice.”
In response Cllr Smith said: “Cllr Johnson’s comments make it clear he still does not understand the planning process. The residents I’ve spoken to are pleased with the work Cllr Seddon and I did to represent them throughout this matter at the town hall.
“Both of us, along with many residents, submitted formal objections during the consultation period. Despite this, council planning officers recommended approval of the application. We therefore requested that the decision be referred to the cross-party Development Management Committee, ensuring that both councillors and residents had another opportunity to make their views known.
“I spoke against the application at the meeting on behalf of the local Labour councillors, including Cllr Seddon, who also attended. Members of the committee consider each application on its merits, guided by national planning policy, and make individual decisions accordingly.
“While I do not agree with the outcome, I fully respect the democratic process through which the decision was reached — a process we engaged with at every stage. By contrast, Cllr Johnson submitted no written objection, did not attend the meeting, and made no attempt to speak on behalf of residents. I imagine many in our ward will be disappointed by his complete failure to engage in the process.”
