Police camp homes plan too vague

A LONG-awaited plan to build more than 200 homes on the site of the former Bruche Police Training Centre at Warrington is to be put to borough planners next week.
The Homes and Communities Agency is putting forward an outline application for the development – which critics say is too vague.
Up to 220 houses are envisaged on an area of about 8.7 hectares, there will be two vehicle accesses from Greenway and Bruche Avenue and all existing buildings on the site would be demolished.
Twenty five nearby residents have lodged objections, and there is also an objection from Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council and local borough councillor Colin Froggatt (right).
He says he is objecting on the grounds the applicants are being, deliberately or inadvertently, vague in their description of the dwellings to be built.
He says neighbours were informed at consultation events that the properties would be no higher than two storeys but the submitted documents refer to buildings “considerably higher than a two storey build”.
The parish council has similar objections and points out that the site is higher than surrounding areas and any buildings above two storeys would tower over existing properties.
Neighbours fear a loss of privacy and daylight, noise, light pollution and inadequate separation between houses.
Planning officers are recommending approval, subject to conditions including provision for 30 per cent affordable housing on site and £1.1million towards affordable housing elsewhere.
They would also want to developers to pay £55,900 towards a children’s play area and £329,745 for sport and recreation facilities.
The borough council’s arboricultural officer is concerned at the loss of trees worth preserving and would like some 60 trees to be preserved to give the site an air of maturity.