Wain Homes eyes Backford Cross go-ahead

Cheshire West and Chester Council officers have recommended approval for the 240-home proposal to the south-west of Ellesmere Port.

Wain Homes’ site comes in at 30.3 acres and is located to the north of Dunkirk Way, Backford Cross. DGL Associates, Emery Planning and landscape architect Trevor Bridge Associates are advising.

The plan is for the development to be accessed via Old Meadow Drive, which currently serves phase one of the partially completed Redrow scheme billed as The Pastures.

The Great Sutton application site is greenfield and within Ellesmere Port’s settlement boundary, which in planning terms brings in the presumption in favour of sustainable development. It is categorised within CWAC’s development plan as one of its four principal settlements for new housing development.

Prior to being included within the Ellesmere Port settlement boundary, the land was part of an allocation for 350 homes in the 2002 Ellesmere Port and Neston borough local plan, part of which has since been consented.

The site is bordered to the north and east by existing housing and an open space west of St Asaph Road. To the south-west the site is bordered by Redrow’s development, while to the west lies open land designated as Green Belt. Two sets of high-voltage overhead power lines cross the site north/south, linking with the nearby National Grid sub-station at Capenhurst.

Approval is sought for 240 homes – the scheme has been reduced from an initial 267 dwellings, partly due to the power lines – along with associated works, including 7.3 acres of public open space, incorporating green corridors, pedestrian and cycle links, landscaping and sustainable drainage features.

There are no objections from statutory external consultees, or CWAC’s internal consultees, however two councillors have registered their opposition, along with Saughall & Shotwick Parish Council and 40 public objections. Adding to congestion on the A5117 is chief among the concerns, with affordable housing also cited.

Housing breaks down as: 12 one-bedroom houses, 72 two-beds, 108 three-beds, 41 four-beds,  and seven five-beds. Although officers noted that this does not align with CWACs most recent Housing Needs Assessment, from February this, year, that isn’t thought enough of a factor to refuse consent – for one thing, the housing proposal pre-dates this document.

Negotiations have taken place over affordable housing. The starting position per policy requirement is for up to 30%, but Wain Homes argued that abnormal site costs – capping a gas pipeline, land contamination, dealing with the pylons – meant the scheme would be unviable with any affordable homes. CWAC’s advisor disagreed, and a compromise position of 10%, representing 24 homes, has been agreed on.

Project documents can be viewed on CWACs planning portal, reference 23/03825/FUL. The planning committee meets on 1 September.