One custom-build dwelling at Kenyon Farm, Croft, Warrington
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Warrington Development Management Committee on 23 Apr 2026.
The site
The site is at Kenyon Farm, accessed from Heath Lane by a private track that is also a public right of way, and lies in the Green Belt.
“The application site is located at Kenyon Farm in Croft. The site is accessed from Heath Lane via a private access track which is also a public right of way.”
“The site is located to the north of the private access track between the existing Kenyon Farm and Hill Top Farm. The existing farmhouse of Kenyon Farm and associated gardens are also in the ownership of the applicant. To the south of the access track are open fields.”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended approval because the reduced site was previously developed land and a suitably designed dwelling could avoid substantial Green Belt harm.
“The second part of the paragraph relates to ‘substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt’. As the proposal is a Permission in Principle with only indicative drawings, whether the proposal would cause substantial harm cannot definitely be known at this stage. However, it is considered that it would be possible for a scheme to be submitted at the Technical Details Consent stage which would not cause substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt.”
“The applicant’s Supporting Statement has made reference that regard should also be made to the ‘grey belt’. In assessing the applicants contention it is acknowledged that the land could form grey belt land, however, in considering the tests in paragraph 155 of the NPPF, it is not accepted that there is a demonstrable unmet need for the type of development proposed.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Transport, United Utilities and ecology raised no objections, while environmental protection had no objection in principle but required further information.
“Warrington BC Environment & Public Protection - No objection in principle but further information will be required both prior to commencement and after completion of the scheme under a Technical Details Consent (TDC).”
Officer report
Objections received
The parish council objected that the proposal was larger than the earlier garage conversion, would change the area’s character and conflicted with Green Belt policy.
“Parish Council – Objection on the following grounds:”
“Croft Parish Council would like to reiterate its previous objection to this application. This is on the following grounds: This application has two options to demolish the existing garage and stables so that they can build two adjoining new buildings as one house. This proposed development is considerable; bigger than the original garage conversion (from 2022), which would alter the character of the area. It is in the green belt and is contrary to the Local Plan’.”
Officer report
The committee vote
The committee resolved to approve the application with conditions in line with the officer recommendation.
“The application was approved with conditions as per officer recommendation. 5”
Minutes
Sources
- Warrington Development Management Committee minutes, 23 April 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Warrington's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Warrington
- Date
- Thursday 23 April 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Warrington committee decisions →
This committee's year
36 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.