Wrenbury homes approved
A housing scheme in Wrenbury in east Cheshire has been given approval, following an appeal by Arena Housing Association.
The housing association and developer MCI Developments propose to build 14 affordable two and three bedroom homes on 1.5 acres off New Road in the village of Wrenbury.
Cheshire East Council's planning committee refused the application despite planning officers recommending the proposals be approved.
Acting on behalf of Arena Housing, Manchester-based Mosaic Town Planning won an appeal against Cheshire East Council for the plans to go ahead.
Daniel Whitney, a planning consultant at Mosaic Town Planning, said: "At the appeal it was accepted by both parties that there was a need for affordable housing. The 2010 Cheshire East Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) states that there is a net annual requirement for 1,243 affordable units across Cheshire East until 2014.
"The Inspector argued that the proposed 'rural exception' site was in a sustainable location and that there were no appropriate brownfield sites, contrary to the Council's reason for refusal.
"In addition, the full costs of the appeal process were awarded to Arena Housing Association due to the Council's unreasonable behaviour which resulted in wasted expense. In particularly, the Council relied heavily on an unallocated brownfield site coming forward despite no application being received at the time of the decision."
McInerney Homes was originally involved in the project before going into administration, along with seven other companies within the McInerney Group in April this year.
As a resident I can report that this appeal win is disgusting. Hundreds of residents, the Parish Council and ALL of the locally elected Planning Committee Members (bar one who abstained) refused this application. We need the housing, but we have a long standing derelict site requiring redevelopment. This brownfield site (which IS supported by our local housing association, the parish council and hundreds of residents) is presently in the planning process to deliver the same affordable housing.
By Oliver Lowe
One fundamental problem with ‘the residents’ point is that this site is in the ownership of the applicants whereas their preferred site, most likely is not. If the application conforms with policy as appears to be the case, there is little anyone can do. Things are about to get a whole lot worse with the introduction of NPPF too.
By A_Noun
No, the housing association of the greenfield site only signed an option on the land from the farmer AFTER the application was refused by the local authority. The brownfield site is already serviced, has full geo assessments and landfill tax exemption IF required too!
By O Lowe
I for one fully support the decision. Many NIMBY locals have not the whole facts to hand and are wrong. I for one am in need of housing and can now move back to the area. It is impossible to live in places like Wrenbury unless schemes like this are approved. It is usually people who have not been brought up in the area who object so strongly! In 2 years time the NIMBY’s will not even notice the site. I cant wait for the homes to be built, when is the developer starting build?
By John Brady