350-home development at Land To North And East Of Rose Farm, Chapel Lane, Widnes

The site and its setting

The site comprised undeveloped greenfield land and Chapel Lane, crossed the Halton and Knowsley boundary, and lay south of Cronton.

“The application site covers land in both Knowsley and Halton, in total the size of the site is 14.38hectares and comprises undeveloped greenfield land and an area of Chapel Lane. The area of land relating to Knowsley is the site access which is proposed via Chapel Lane. Chapel Lane itself is within Knowsley’s jurisdiction, whilst the wider site is within Halton Council.”

“The site is located east of Chapel Lane, north of Old Upton Lane and west of Queensbury Way (the latter two roads are in Halton). The site’s primary access will be taken from Chapel Lane with emergency accesses proposed north of the main access on Chapel Lane and to the south via Sandy Lane (in Halton).”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, environmental health, flood, ecology, arboricultural and national agencies raised no objections subject to conditions, while parish councils objected.

“Environmental Health: No objections subject to three conditions; one requiring the submission of a construction management plan, one restricting the hours of construction and one regarding land contamination.”

“Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS): No objections, subject to five conditions requiring details of a replacement hedgerow (H1); a condition to protect breeding birds; a condition to secure bird boxes; a condition to ensure reasonable avoidance measures are in place for terrestrial mammals and a condition to ensure the lighting scheme is designed so that it protects ecology.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three public objectors spoke during the allocated period, followed by the applicant’s representative speaking in support.

Members’ conclusion

A motion was proposed and seconded to refuse the application because highway safety conflicted with specified local and national policies.

“Following the discussion in relation to this item, Councillor Mrs J Lonergan moved the following recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor T Byron:-”

“That the application be refused based on highway safety contrary to policies CS2, CS7 and CS19 in the Local Plan Core Strategy and the National Policy Framework.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Members unanimously refused the application on highway safety grounds, contrary to policies CS2, CS7 and CS19 and the National Planning Framework.

“The recommendation was unanimously approved by members of the Planning Committee.”

“RESOLVED – That the application be refused based on highway safety contrary to policies CS2, CS7 and CS19 in the Local Plan Core Strategy and the National Policy Framework.”

Minutes