PLANNING | Lymm green belt homes on Warrington agenda

Proposals to build housing on a green belt site in Lymm, currently used as a caravan park, are due to be discussed by Warrington’s development management committee when it meets next week.

The outline proposals by developer and contractor ATS Landmark are for a one-hectare plot at the end of Pepper Street in Lymm. The site behind Ravenbank House backs on to open countryside and sits within designated green belt. It is currently used to store caravans, and an existing property on the site will be demolished to make way for new homes.

Designed by MSA Architects, the outline plans include the construction of 19 two-storey properties, six of which would be classed as affordable homes. Vehicle access would be via Pepper Street.

The project was referred to Warrington’s development management committee after objections from Lymm Parish Council, which said the site should not be developed as it is green belt land. The council also raised concerns about the additional traffic the development would create.

There were also seven objections from neighbours who argued the scheme would “worsen traffic problems on Pepper Street”.

However, while admitting the proposals would have “significant harm” to the green belt, planners recommended the project for approval, attaching “considerable weight” to the fact that around 50% of the site would be given over to affordable homes.

The planners’ report said: “The proposals give the opportunity to deliver new, substantial landscape planting which would provide a stronger, long term interface with the wider green belt.

“On balance, it is considered that other considerations clearly outweigh harm to green belt and that compelling very special circumstances exist which justify approval of the proposed development”.

The project has been recommended for approval, subject to a Section 106 agreement, when Warrington’s development management committee meets on 31 January.

Q+A is planner for the scheme.