94-home outline scheme at Land At Hilltop Farm, Windmill Lane, Preston on the Hill
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Halton Development Management Committee on 10 Aug 2026.
What is proposed
An outline scheme would provide up to 94 homes, two vehicle accesses and a pedestrian and cycle link, with other details reserved for later.
“THE APPLICATION 2.1 The Proposal Permission is sought for the erection of up to 94 dwellings, served by two separate accesses, one off Hill Top Road and one off Windmill Lane. The application is made in outline form with access details submitted for approval and all other matters (scale, layout, appearance, landscaping) reserved for subsequent assessment.”
Officer report
The site and its setting
The 3.31-hectare vacant site was formerly an electric off-road motorcycle centre, with access from Hill Top Road and a proposed access from Windmill Lane.
“The Site The site subject of the application comprises 3.31Ha of land most recently in use as an electric off road motorcycle centre. The site is currently vacant, with the motorcycle operation having ceased during lockdown. The application site forms Residential Allocation P1 within Policy RD1 as defined within the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan policies map.”
Officer report
Planning history and allocation
Earlier permissions covered an electric bike trail and replacement workshop, while the site was allocated for residential development in the adopted local plan.
“Planning History 10/00109/COU- (PER) -Proposed change of use of agricultural land to create an electric bike trail, conversion/redevelopment of existing buildings (to form reception/cafe, bike prep station, secure storage/workshop, toilet facilities and office) together with car parking, new vehicular/pedestrian access and ancillary development 17/00018/FUL- (PER) -Proposed demolition of existing barns and erection of replacement building to provide workshop, storage and…”
Officer report
Who spoke to the committee
A resident and a parish council representative opposed the application, while the applicant’s agent supported approval.
What must be secured
The requirements include affordable housing, open space, biodiversity measures, green belt improvements, housing mix, highway works, drainage, levels and pedestrian and cycle links.
“Habitat loss compensation and biodiversity mitigation/enhancement measures; • Green Belt compensatory improvements; • Housing mix in accordance with adopted planning policies; • Off-site highway works and sustainable transport measures; • Monitoring fees where applicable; and • Any other planning obligations, contributions, mitigation measures or obligations considered necessary by the Director of Planning and Transportation to make the development acceptable in planning…”
Minutes
The members' reasons
“A census in 2021 showed that 23% of Halton residences did not own a car, 42% had one car, 26% had two cars and 9% had three which was in line with the UK average; • Census data suggested that up to 80% of Halton residents commuted to work by car but work patterns had changed since Covid-19; • Committee Members noted that the roads near the planned development were narrow; • The minimum standard of 30 dwellings per hectare was subject to an assessment where site specific constraints would impact density.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Halton Development Management Committee minutes, 10 August 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Halton'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
- Halton
- Date
- Monday 10 August 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Halton committee decisions →
This committee's year
7 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.