Green belt housing appeal goes Westby’s way

Westby Homes, advised by Indigo Planning, has received planning permission on appeal from the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government Greg Clark to replace the Rhinewood Country House Hotel in Glazebrook, Warrington with a 36-unit residential scheme in the green belt.

The new development will deliver 27 new homes and nine apartments with parking and a children’s playground, which is a first in the village. The site lies within the green belt and will involve the demolition of the current hotel, plus the construction of a new footpath along part of Glazebrook Road.

The development is sensitively designed to reflect the character of the local area and picks up on features such as the arched windows of the grade 2-listed Glazebrook train station, which is directly opposite.

Steven Carnes, director of Westby Homes, said: “The redevelopment of this brownfield site will provide high quality homes and apartments to a small village that is in great need of more housing, which in turn will support local businesses. We have already received strong interest in the development from prospective purchasers and a number of residents looking to relocate from Hollins Green.”

Nick Fillingham, associate director of Indigo Planning, said: “The site is situated within the green belt, and the Inspector agreed with our assertion that the proposed scheme accords with National Planning Policy, which supports the redevelopment of sustainable brownfield sites in green belt locations. Westby Homes is keen to start construction and we look forward to watching the development come to fruition over the coming year.”

The new homes will be built in two phases, with the first being ready for occupancy in June 2016.

Fabrik Landscape Architects advised Westby Homes in respect of landscaping and the visual impacts of the development.