A MAJOR plan to build 372 homes – nearly half of them in five storey blocks – overlooking the Mersey at Warrington has triggered widespread objections.
The plan, submitted by Persimmon Homes North West, involves land to the south of Farrell Street, Howley.
Some 176 of the properties would be in five-storey blocks overlooking the river and five per cent of the homes – 22 – would be available for social rent.
Outline planning consent for about 550 homes was approved in 2006
Opposition to the scheme is mainly linked to the height of the building fronting the river.
Borough councillor Paul Kenny (pictured) has welcomed the overall layout of the scheme and the low cost rented homes but is concerned about the five storey properties.
He would like to see them reduced to four storeys.
Howley Residents Association says the height of the buildings is “unacceptable” and would set a precedent.
They say the proposals fail to provide employment opportunities and that there is a potential for flooding. They say the tree-lined nature of proposed riverside walkways should be protected.
Two nearby residents have objected on the grounds of increased flood risk and increased parking problems on Farrell Street and Kingsway. They claim traffic at the Kingsway roundabout is already “appalling” and point out that similar developments already carried out attract people from outside the area.
Local people cannot afford the properties and the council should be concentrating on people who already live in the area and trying to improve their quality of life.
The scheme includes provision for a shop and medical centre, parking, landscaping and open space. It has been short listed for the Homes and Communities Agency “Kickstart” funding programme, which would ensure commercial viability.
The range of housing includes one bedroom apartments and four bedroom detached houses.
Planning officers say the scheme is in accord with the original outline consent.
They are recommending the scheme be approved – subject to a condition that it be implemented by January 2012.
Plan for 372 waterfront homes
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
5 Comments
but do we need more housing. the Greenings site is still lying there with only about a third of the proposed houses actually having been built. the rest are on hold until te economic climate improves. so why do we need to build more.
They have started work this week on the site where Peel Holdings ‘Walton Locks’ housing development is going… there are over 400 houses and 4 storey appartment blocks being built there too.
Warrington has a “dispensation” from Central Government so that it does not have to meet nationally agreed targets for new housing. This is because Warrington has an oversupply of housing .The additional housing brings in people from Liverpool and Manchester , destablising those Councils attempts to regenerate their Cities.
However all it seems you need to do is wave the affordable housing flag and the plans get past . The need for affordable housing is for good quality family homes, not 1 bed shoe boxes.
These are the slums of the future.
With regard to the current oversupply of housing 40%+ of any new developments should be social rented properties. To allow developers to get away with offers such as 5% when there are so many people on the waiting lists for social rented homes is ridiculous. Another example of where this council’s priorities lie!!!!!!
I do not think the 40% would work … who would buy the other 60% knowing that it is basically a council estate ?