Planners want more cash from developer

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have put off a decision on two major residential developments because they feel the developer is not offering a big enough financial contribution towards the cost of vital community facilities.
The developer has offered £300,000 towards the provision of affordable housing or open space.
But an open space assessment carried out in connection with the proposed development on the former Beers timber yard, in Station Road, Latchford, indicated a figure of £537,685, the borough council’s development control committee was told.
Officers recommended the schemes – for a five-storey sheltered housing scheme and a further 93 apartments in four and three storey blocks – be approved.
They said the £300,000 contribution, plus £120,000 for highway matters and a further £35,931 for further highway work, was “a reasonable response.”
They pointed out that the developer believed the site had a negative development value, with no surplus value to fund community facilities.
But the committee deferred a decision after several members said they believed the developer was not contributing enough.
Further talks will now be held.
Nearby residents have lodged objections and Stockton Heath Parish Council opposes part of the scheme.
The parish council claims the number of units is in excess of outline planning permission and that the building would be visually intrusive and overbearing to the residents of Greenbank Road and Lower Hill Top Road.
Five letters of objection have also been received from neighbours who say the development is out of character and obtrusive and that it would interfere with television and mobile phone signals.
They also complain it would cause lack of privacy and traffic congestion because of the extra cars it would attract.