Objectors line-up over affordable homes

PLANNING chiefs have called a special meeting to consider the future of a 3.75 acre greenfield site which is being offered for sale for “affordable” housing for just £1.
Warrington’s development control committee will move into the Pyramid arts centre, in Palmyra Square next Thursday (November 27) to hear an application for permission to build 51 dwellings on land bounded by Montclare Crescent, Brian Avenue and Chester Road, Stockton Heath.
A large crowd of objectors is expected.
Warrington Housing Association are seeking permission for the homes – and the borough council would sell the land to them for a nominal £1.
It has been valued at £1.6 million.
More than 80 nearby residents have lodged objections, along with the Save the Field action group, Stockton Heath Parish Council and local borough councillors Sue Dodd (right)and Celia Jordan (left).
There are also objections from the borough council’s own highways department, the council’s landscape architect and the council’s nature conservation officer who is concerned at the loss of hedgerow and rough grassland.
Highways chiefs say in the absence of a financial contribution of £136,000 from the applicant, the proposal is not acceptable in highways/transportation terms.
The development would increase traffic on already congested roads.
Councillors Dodd and Jordan say an application is being made to give the site village green status.
This would delay building for two years at least and it would be fairer to both applicant and objectors if proposals were put forward then, when circumstances may have changed.
Residents and the parish council say alternative brownfield sites are available and the scheme would further reduce the availability of open space in the Stockton Heath area.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. They accept there is a potential for traffic problems but argue that the overriding need is for more affordable housing.