PEOPLE power has resulted in a controversial plan to demolish a house and replace it with a three-storey office building being thrown out by Warrington planning bosses.
Nearly 50 nearby residents lodged objections from the scheme at the junction of Knutsford Road and Albert Road, Grappenhall.
There was also opposition from Grappenhall and Thelwall
Parish Council and from borough councillor Elaine Welborn.A similar application was rejected by planners in January.
Members of the borough’s development control committee were told the existing property was a detached house set in large gardens in an established residential area.
The previous application was refused because of the absence of a contribution to the cost of road improvements, inappropriate siting of a bin store, overshadowing of an adjoining house, highway safety and inappropriate location of offices in a residential area.
Now, however, the applicant was offering £20,650 for highway improvements and had relocated the bin store.Coun Elaine Welborn said the design and size of the proposed office building would harm the character of a residential area. There was also inadequate parking provision which would result in additional street parking, causing increased traffic congestion on an already busy road.
The parish council claimed the scheme would be harmful to the amenity of residents of Albert Road and Victoria Road and would cause overlooking of neighbouring houses.
They argued that there was a potential for almost 50 employees in the building, with just 13 parking spaces.
Planners accepted the development could lead to additional traffic congestion and that parking provision was unsuitable.
They said offices would be more appropriate in the town centre and retention of the existing house, or redevelopment for residential properties would be preferable.
They recommended refusal because the development did not accord with tbe borough’s unitary development plan – and the committee agreed.
