Bellway’s 71 homes rejected in Wirral

The housebuilder’s scheme on land north of Riverwood Road in Bromborough was denied by the planning authority over grounds that it violated local development plans.

Bellway had wanted to build a mix of four-bedroom, three-bedroom and two-bedroom houses on the 9.5-acre site. In addition to constructing the houses, Bellway had sought permission to demolish the existing buildings on the land, including a vacant office block. The western part of the site held a mature woodland which was, in part, protected by a group tree preservation order.

The woodland was part of the reason for the refusal, which was made under delegated powers.

Planning officers wrote that the development would result in the loss of several trees, including one that was protected.

“The scale of the development on this valuable site would also be likely to result in the deterioration of the retained veteran trees, which would fail to be outweighed by wholly exceptional reasons, and would also place pressure on the future retention of trees currently identified to be retained due to the close proximity of new houses,” planning officers said.

Officers also said that the site’s location, which is within Wirral International Business Park, had been identified as “an employment area of strategic importance” by the council in its Wirral Unitary Development Plan. They continued that the area was unsustainable and inaccessible for residential purposes.

Astle Planning & Design had assisted Bellway with the application. Bellway was contacted for comment.

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What a bizarre location for a residential development, not surprised it got refused

By Jon P

It may be a poor location Jon P. But its come about because the LPA have failed to get a local plan adopted since February 2000 and they have less than a five year housing land supply leading to more speculative developments. If they did their job there would be more certainty for developers.

By Ronnie Omlettes

Ronnie, as a developer even I think this is a daft location. Yes by all means be plan led, but this is not speculative, this is opportunistic.

By Deja

Jon P & Deja, I take it you don’t realise that directly opposite this site there is an application for 280 plus homes and adjacent to that the Council has a further 20 acres that they are promoting for circa 250 homes. The context of this area is about to change and this is nothing but short sighted by Wirral Council…as usual

By Dean C

It’s in the heart of a heavily industrialised area. The value of these properties will not increase as they would in other non industrial locations. It’s not attractive and is not a long term vision of developing a neighbourhood with a future.

By Andy

Dean C, yes I am aware of the pending application – not yet approved. I wasn’t aware that the Council were promoting their land but I know which parcel you refer to. However this also doesn’t have approval yet, let alone an application submitted.
Look, I’m all for sticking it slow moving Councils, but this application is premature at best. Even when this area has ‘changed’, it’s still going to border industrial/commercial on three sides.

By Deja

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