Elan wins Neston housing appeal

Elan Homes, advised by Hourigan Connolly, has won a planning appeal to build 33 homes in Neston, west Cheshire and will start on site in the autumn.

The niche developer, with its northern headquarters in Ellesmere Port, will deliver a mixed development of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes on land off Boundary Park in Parkgate, Neston. There will be 25 properties for private sale, plus eight affordable homes.

Elan’s original planning application was recommended for approval by planning officers at Cheshire West & Chester Council but was subsequently refused by members.

Planning inspector Mark Dakeyne allowed Elan’s appeal against the refusal. The council was also ordered to pay Elan Homes the full costs of the appeal.

Richard Dean, land acquisition director for Elan Homes in the North, said: “We’re pleased with the outcome of the planning appeal and are looking forward to starting work on site in the autumn. We have established a reputation for building in some of the North West’s most desirable neighbourhoods and this site is no exception. The homes will enjoy a leafy setting in an established residential area, close to the Wirral Way with many mature trees retained and a central area of on-site public open space to be provided.

“We’re committed to ensuring that our developments are sustainable and as well as providing affordable homes within this scheme, we will also be providing contributions of around £120,000 towards affordable housing in the local area and around £30,000 towards off-site open space.”

Chartered town planners Hourigan Connolly were instructed to handle the appeal. Marc Hourigan, directors, said: “The main issues in this case related to the effect on the character and appearance of the area and affordable housing and in that respect the inspector agreed with the evidence we put forward that the proposed scheme is entirely appropriate. The decision is also of wider interest in that the inspector noted that the council’s recently adopted development plan does not set a cap on the maximum amount of dwellings that can come forward in key service centres and furthermore, the demonstration of a five-year housing supply by the council does not preclude further housing development coming forward.”

While work on the new homes in Neston won’t start until the autumn, Elan is already looking for additional land with development potential.

Dean added: “We will consider land from one to 20 acres, with or without planning consent, anywhere in the North West. There’s no set criteria as to the sort of land we would consider developing as each site is carefully assessed on its merits.”

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