A CONTROVERSIAL canal-side housing development at Warrington, which has sparked fierce opposition from nearby residents, has finally been given the go-ahead by planning bosses.
Angry residents opposed the scheme in Station
Road, Latchford, as did Stockton Heath Parish Council, on the grounds it would be visually intrusive from the Stockton Heath side of the Manchester Ship Canal.
Borough councillors held up the scheme because they were not happy about the amount of money developers Kings Dock Developments were prepared to contribute towards affordable housing, open space, highways, etc.
But the borough’s development control committee has now approved the proposals which include more than 90 apartments in five four-storey and two three-storey blocks, sheltered housing for the elderly, car parking, landscaping, etc on the site of the former Beers timber yard
The developer has offered £300,000 towards the provision of affordable housing or open space, £120,000 towards highway improvements and almost £36,000 for other highways matters.
Planning officers, who had recommended the scheme be approved from the outset, say this is a fair offer, although one assessment was that the contribution for affordable housing or open space alone should be more than £530,000.
Opposition from Stockton Heath was based on the view that the buildings would be visually intrusive and overbearing to the residents of Greenbank Road and Lower Hill Top Road.
Five letters of objection were also received from neighbours who claimed the development was out of character and obtrusive and that it would interfere with television and mobile phone signals.
They also complained it would cause lack of privacy and traffic congestion because of the extra cars it would attract.
