CONTROVERSIAL plans for “prison block” retirement homes on a former Green Belt site at Lymm have been rejected against officer advice.
Members of Warrington Borough Council’s Development Control committee voted to reject the application by McCarthy and Stone for the retirement homes development on land at Watercress Farm
The scheme was the third the company have put forward for land at Watercress Farm, off Thirlmere Drive, Lymm. It proposed 36 one and two bedroom apartments in a part-three, part-two storey building.
Previous proposals were for 45 retirement apartments and were opposed by nearly 60 residents and by Lymm Parish Council.
Amended proposals were for 42 homes and the latest scheme was for 36.
Parking for 26 cars was proposed, along with a terrace to provide an outdoor sitting area and interior communal facilities.
Local Cllr Chris East spoke out against the application saying the building was too large and overbearing and out of keeping with the environment, made worse by the land levels.
The flat roof and large expanses of blank wall were not acceptable and it looked more like a prison block!
Views from the Bridgewater Canal would also be spoilt and design did not fit well with the historic cottages in Fletchers Lane.
Concerns were also raised about flooding and land drainage issues.
There was also too much dependency on the car for access to the site.
While there was no option but to accept that something will be built on this site the Parish Council and residents were not happy with the current proposal and urged members of the committee to turn it down and send it back for further consideration.
Planning officers pointed out that the scheme is part of a larger development of 136 homes and a health centre which already have planning consent and the site is no longer in the Green Belt.
The site for the development
