Decision due on major Daresbury housing extension
After years of planning, Redrow said it is in the final stages of negotiations with Halton Council over section 106 payments and expects planning committee members to decide on its proposals in late summer.
The 140-acre greenfield site is bounded by A56 Chester Road, Daresbury Park, the Bridgewater Canal and Delph Lane, and was allocated as a strategic housing site in the Halton Local Plan in 2013.
Redrow has submitted applications for 850 units out of a total of 1,200 that could be built on the site.
An initial application for 300 homes on the southern part of the allocation area was submitted to Halton in March 2013. Further applications for the Northern and Central sections of the allocation, totalling 550 homes and 15,000 sq m of commercial space, were submitted to Halton in 2014 and 2015 respectively. All these applications are currently being considered by Halton.
As part of this sequence of applications, detailed plans have been submitted for the first phase of 295 units in the northern phase and a junction on to the A558. The 550 outline application covers both the 295 northern phase and also part of the central area.
Redrow said the applications were “submitted sequentially in order to show how the strategic allocation would be developed in a comprehensive manner as best we know at this point.”
The spokesman added: “We have been working with Halton for a number of years to bring this complex strategic site forward and now feel the proposals are in an agreed format. We are in final discussions with the council on S106 / planning gain aspects and we are hopeful the applications will go to a late summer planning committee.”
The proposed scheme will be a mix of residential and commercial comprising two, three and four-bedroom homes, along with office and research accommodation to complement the neighbouring Sci-Tech Daresbury research business campus.
Redrow said it will create large areas of public open green space, including parks and recreation areas, cycle paths, footpaths, wetlands and ponds, as well as other ecological areas to support local wildlife and conservation. Future plans include a marina, a commercial centre and a local centre with shops and cafes.
John Grime, managing director of Redrow Homes (NW), said: “This is a strategically important site for Redrow, further emphasising our commitment to Daresbury and the wider Halton area. It is an exciting new development and one that will take shape over a number of years via a phased approach.
“Our masterplan offers a vision to create a vibrant and sustainable community which will help to meet market demand – providing a range of high quality aspirational family homes, first-rate local facilities and significant employment opportunities.
“Daresbury has seen much investment over recent years, establishing itself as a successful enterprise zone; supporting the creation of new businesses and jobs, and as a hub of innovation, science and technology.”
Planning consultant Gerald Eve advises Redrow.
