Residents wait on homes plan

WORRIED residents will learn next week whether they have won any concessions to protect their privacy if a major housing development goes ahead at Warrington.
Residents of Stafford Road have lodged objections to plans for 125 new homes on the site of the former G&J Greenall’s distillery off Loushers Lane.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee decided to inspect the site before reaching a decision and are due to consider the matter again next Wednesday.
Residents are concerned about loss of privacy, the loss of trees along the edge of the site and overlooking of gardens.
Local councillor Ted Finnegan has also objected on the grounds of loss of residential amenity for existing residents and those of the new houses.
He says the distance between the new houses and properties in Stafford Road are not acceptable.
The plans have been submitted by Bellway Homes, who already have outline planning consent to develop the site for residential purposes.
Seventeen of the properties would be for social rent and there would be a mix of three and four bed mews, semis and detached houses – all at two-storey height.
They would be accessed via a tree-lined boulevard from Loushers Lane, with additional pedestrian access points onto Loushers Lane and Wilderspool Causeway, plus a link to the existing footpath network in Black Bear Park.
There is also outline planning consent for a care home and the conversion of listed buildings in China Lane for residential use which will be the subject of future detailed applications.
Nearby road construction firm Colas have also expressed concern about the closeness of houses to a 24-hour industrial plant.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved as it stands.