Green light for 220 new homes

OUTLINE plans for a major housing development on the site of the former Bruche Police Training Centre have been given the green light by Warrington planners – despite opposition from nearby residents.
More than 20 householders opposed the scheme and there were objections also from Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council and local borough councillor Colin Froggatt (pictured).
But members of the borough’s development management committee approved proposals from The Homes and Communities Agency for 220 houses on an area of 8.7 hectares.
The proposals are in outline only – but the applicants have suggested a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses.
Only three per cent of the total would be two bedroom, 55 per cent would be three bedroom and 42 per cent four bedroom.
Anxious neighbours expressed concern over a loss of privacy, daylight and inadequate separation between properties.
Some were concerned that the new properties would be too high when compared with existing properties, many of which are bungalows.
All existing buildings on the site will be demolished
The site – originally a transit camp for troops during World War 2 – and during the 1950s was redeveloped as a police training centre.
The police centre closed in 2006.
Cllr Froggatt claimed the applicants were being, deliberately or inadvertently, vague in their description of the dwellings to be built.
He said neighbours were informed at consultation events that the properties would be no higher than two storeys but the submitted documents refer to buildings “considerably higher than a two storey build”.
The parish council had similar objections and pointed out that the site was higher than surrounding areas and any buildings above two storeys would tower over existing properties.