Fears growing over further plans for hundreds of new homes on Green Belt land at Culcheth

FEARS are growing over the cumulative impact of housing developments on Green Belt land following proposals for hundreds of new homes on farm land at Culcheth, bordering Croft.

The land off Wigshaw Lane, Culcheth, has previously been earmarked for around 400 homes by developers Redrow Homes.
Cllr Stuart Mann, Chair, Croft Parish Council, said: “The proposed Culcheth development sits immediately adjacent to the Croft parish boundary, and it is important to remember that residents do not live their lives according to parish boundaries.
“When considered alongside the separate proposals for up to 200 homes at Turret Hall Farm in Croft and up to 500 homes in Burtonwood, this could mean more than 1,000 additional homes being developed across North Warrington. That is IN ADDITION TO the more than 2,000 homes already approved or currently under construction in the area.
“People in Croft, Culcheth, Glazebury, Winwick and Burtonwood use the same roads, schools, GP surgeries and local services. The impact of major development is felt across communities, not just within the parish in which it is built.
“There are serious questions about the cumulative impact this level of development could have on local infrastructure and whether it aligns with the principles and commitments set out in Warrington’s adopted Local Plan.
“Local people will want reassurance that roads, healthcare services, school places, drainage systems and other essential infrastructure can cope BEFORE further large-scale development is allowed to proceed.
“Croft Parish council believes it will be vital to work closely with Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Council, both as statutory consultees on any proposed developments that do come forward and we look forward to doing so.
Croft PC has created a dedicated Planning Matters section on its website where residents can find further information about the proposals affecting both Croft and Culcheth.
“Residents can also subscribe to receive email updates on these and other local issues as new information becomes available.
“The next meeting of Croft Parish Council will take place this coming week on Tuesday 16 June 19:30 at Croft Memorial Hall, where we hope to provide residents with an update on the current position. Everyone is welcome to attend.”

Meanwhile, Culcheth & Glazebury Clr. Neil Johnson has warned the Borough Council that the revised Local Plan must take into account recent developments in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft and that the villages should not be overburdened with excessive new housing schemes.
Alongside the Culcheth and Glazebury Residents Association and fellow Independent Parish Cllr. Bernie Kingston, Cllr Johnson has been encouraging residents to have their say during the Scoping Consultation about the kind of developments they do and don’t want to see.
Cllr. Johnson said:”The Local Plan helps to shape where new houses are built, where roads are constructed, where schools are placed, where health and wellbeing facilities are located, as well as determining which green spaces are preserved.
“Tragically, green belt land in Culcheth has already been earmarked for up to 400 new homes.
“In recent times, the Labour council has shown a resistance to opposing new development in our villages and has been lacklustre in protecting our valued green spaces. My stance is simple: I will always work to protect the Green Belt.
“I want to commend the local Residents Association and my fellow Independent parish councillor Bernie Kingston for all the work they have done on this issue to date. They have really put in some legwork and raised awareness, which I know is appreciated by everyone in the community.
“We must resist any attempt to develop the area around the Linear Park, where developers are keeping a greedy eye on the possibilities. Building in this vicinity could have a devastating effect on wildlife and the natural habitats of species which thrive there.
“The Council must be very firm and ensure that the revised Local Plans takes into account recent developments, such as the new homes on Holcroft Lane which the Labour council approved, and the planned intrusion onto the Green Belt in the form of the Solar Farm in Glazebury. Both of these schemes were given the green light by the Council as the local Labour councillors failed to convince their colleagues to oppose them.
“I believe we have lost too much of the Green Belt in our villages already. We should now expect the Council to fight by our side to protect our valued green spaces. Our community should not be overburdened with housing developments and building projects that it cannot support. Our highway and infrastructure network, not to mention local amenities, are already at risk of being overburdened.”