Disputed housing scheme next to M62 back before planning chiefs

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for 27 houses alongside the M62 at Houghton Green is back before borough council planners tomorrow (Wednesday).

The scheme, which involves a number of three-storey properties, was deferred for further information when it came before the development management committee in November.
But officers are recommending it be approved.

Objectors have lived up to oppose the application put forward by John Leighton.
Warrington Borough council members from Poplars and Hulme and Burtonwood and Winwick have objected, and there is also opposition from Winwick Parish Council, 30 local residents and former Mayor of Warrington and nature conservationist Geoff Settle.

The scheme involves 27 houses – 15 of which would be three-storey townhouses and 12 would be two-storey semi-detached – on land off Mill Lane. There would also be an open amenity space.

Planning consent for six houses on part of the 1.3 hectare site was granted as far back as 1987 but was never progressed.

Officers say the land is generally overgrown with brambles and other vegetation although there also two or three abandoned sheds. It has, in the past, been used for grazing horses.

Objectors say noise and pollution from the adjacent M62 motorway would impact on residents of the new houses who would have a poor outlook over the motorway. There would also be a traffic impact on Mill Lane.

They also argue that it is not a sustainable location, that further phases of development would have further impacts and that a planning inspector had ruled in 2013 that a proposal for 150 houses opposite the site was unsustainable.

Mr Settle said: “Yet again the villagers face a momentous change to the essence of village life in Houghton Green just as they did when the motorway was driven through decades ago and it’s no wonder that they are outraged.

“If constructed the new occupants would be living just over thirty-four meters from the hard shoulder of what has since become one of the busiest motorways in the UK.

“WBC have classified the 50-meter strip of land along the network as an Air Quality Measurement Area (AQMA).and describe it on their web site as being a highly polluted place and yet the same department are recommending the development for approval.

Geoff who is asthmatic, contests that “This can’t be right a highly polluted place can’t be safe to live and breathe in. It just beggar’s belief.”
He has taken readings on his mobile sound app on two dates (17th June and 27th November) at the site which shows repetitive highs of 85 dB just 10 dBs below the acknowledges danger to hearing. Average readings have been around 70 dB with lows at 50dB. Where he lives in his Cinnamon Brow garden readings are at a high of 70dB.

Last year he had to upgrade his double glazing to keep out the noise of the motorway. His wife describes the noise as a constant background hum that can keep her awake at night especially in the summer when the windows need to be opened to cool and ventilate the house. She pities anyone trapped in a home alongside the motorway.

But planning officers said the scheme would deliver new homes to meet the needs of Warrington’s population and would have benefits that outweigh any adverse effects.