Green light for first phase of controversial development of Peel Hall

COUNCILLORS have voted in favour of the first phase of the controversial Peel Hall development which will eventually lead to 1,200 homes on green fields.

The application site related to land at Peel Hall, extending between the M62 to the North, Mill Lane to the East, Poplars Avenue to the South and Elm Road to the West of Warrington.
It involved approval of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping including landscaping of the approved accesses) of 404 dwellings, playing fields, including upgrades to multi-use games area, community building and associated car parking, public open space including footpaths, allotments and areas of play, primary substation, pumping station, internal estate roads and footways and other associated infrastructure associated with outline planning permission 2016/28492.

Before the meeting, the owners of neighbouring Peel Hall Kennels told Warrington Worldwide of their fears they are fighting for survival amid an array of complex planning procedures.
Acoustics experts were brought in to produce reports on behalf of developers Countryside in support of the development.
Representations were made by one of the acoustics experts at the Development Management Committee.
Earlier this week, Margaret and Kevin Steen, the kennel owners expressed fears that some aspects of the plans, which include flood risk, drainage and noise, will lead to a single noise complaint from residents could close down their kennels.
Speaking against the proposal, solicitor Steven Davenport, representing Mr and Mrs Steen, questioned aspects of the right of way and pedestrian and vehicular access to the development.
He told councillors fire engines may be forced to “reverse 600 metres” as a result of the access issues to the site and he urged them to defer the application.

Former Mayor Geoff Settle also spoke against the Peel Hall proposal. He said Mill Lane had become “very busy” with traffic. At 6.40 am, he counted “one vehicle every six seconds” and by rush hour the vehicle numbers increased.
He warned that exposure to traffic pollution led to “reduced life expectancy.”
But acoustics expert John Goodwin, speaking in support of the application, explained the assessment was based on the “worst case” with barking dogs and noise levels and it was intended to “significantly overestimate the noise levels.”
“Not every dog barks as loud,” he added. Acoustic fences and acoustic ventilation units would be provided to mitigate noise.
Councillors Graham Gowland and Judith Wheeler expressed concerns about turning circles on the highway.
The application was approved following a vote but Cllr Gowland abstained in the vote.

Originally, the planning application should have been decided in July but developers Countryside were given extra time by Warrington Borough Council to submit late additional noise evidence.
The Steens complained to officials in the planning department about procedural unfairness and sought additional consultation time.
The request was refused. Following legal advice, the committee was postponed for a fortnight to allow the kennel owners to review the developer’s report.
Speaking after the meeting Cllr Graham Gowland, who represents Lymm but sits on the planning committee commented: “Peel Hall has always been a difficult development. The council did reject the plans, but the government inspector approved it, meaning we have to find the best solutions for the issues that arise. The committee spent a long time reviewing the concerns, and hopefully, the conditions explored will resolve this. The plans were just one phase of the whole development, and I expect the imbalance in social housing to be resolved in the next phase.”