29 dwellings at Greensbridge Lane, Halewood

What was proposed

The application proposed 23 houses and six apartments, with associated infrastructure and access from Greensbridge Lane.

“ERECTION OF 29NO. DWELLINGS (CONSISTING OF 23NO. HOUSES AND 6NO. APARTMENTS) TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS FROM GREENSBRIDGE LANE”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant 1.27-hectare site contained hardstandings, scrub and poor-condition buildings, and was allocated for residential use.

“The application site comprises a ‘V shaped’ area of land measuring 1.27ha. The land is vacant and comprises hardstandings, scrub, and buildings which are in a poor state of repair. The site is allocated for residential use as part of the East Halewood Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE).”

“The application site is bounded by Netherley Brook to the west, Cartbridge Lane to the north and Greensbridge Lane to the east and part of the wider sustainable urban extension to the south. To the west of Netherly Brook is an area of public open space and a modern residential development on the site of the former Bridgefield Forum leisure centre. There are agricultural fields to the north and east.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable in principle and in relation to highways, amenity, flooding, ecology, trees, landscaping and contaminated land.

“CONCLUSION & PLANNING BALANCE 10.1 The site forms part of the East Of Halewood, sustainable urban extension (SUE) allocated in the Knowsley Local Plan for residential development. The proposal is therefore acceptable in principle. The proposal would provide 29 new dwellings on a vacant , untidy and unmaintained site thus improving the overall appearance of the area.”

“The proposed development would be acceptable in terms of highway safety, residential amenity, flood risk, drainage, ecology , tree loss and landscaping and contaminated land. With the appropriate mitigation measures secured through planning conditions and obligations would be in compliance with the relevant local plan, saved UDP policies and guidance in NPPF.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Council services and other consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions covering matters including highways, drainage, ecology, contamination and mitigation.

“Local Highway Authority (Knowsley Council) – No objections subject to conditions securing the detail design and delivery of the pedestrian routes across Greensbridge Lane bridge and along Greensbridge Lane, details of vehicular access, cycle parking and a construction management plan.”

“Environmental Sustainability Service (Knowsley Council) – No objections subject to a further landscaping scheme to address outstanding matters which can be secured by planning condition…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A member of the public made an objection during the three-minute period allowed for public representations.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to the conditions, a Section 106 agreement and potential delegated refusal if the agreement was not completed within six months.

“(i) The conditions set out in the attached schedule, or such additional or amended conditions that the Head of Planning & Building Control in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee considers appropriate.”

“(iii) In the event of the applicants not entering into a Section 106 agreement within 6 months of Planning Committee’s resolution to secure the obligations, that Planning Committee delegate authority to the Head of Planning & Building Control to refuse planning permission under delegated powers, on such grounds, should it be deemed that insufficient progress has been made in completing the s106 agreement.”

Minutes