Homes to be built on flood hit green belt
GREEN belt land that was ‘submerged’ during floods will be used for much-needed affordable housing following a three year battle.
Peter Kiely, from developers Walbury Commercial, has been given permission to build four homes at the site off Middlewood Road, in Poynton.
Cheshire East Council approved his plans, a revised version of an unsuccessful scheme first submitted in 2018, despite objections from existing residents and Poynton Town Council.
They say the site was under several feet of water in the floods of 2016 and 2019 and extra houses will only make a repeat more likely.
Also raised as concerns were the loss of green belt, trees and a badger sett, inadequate parking and road danger from increased traffic.
But the council ruled on balance the scheme should go ahead.
And that all four homes being classed as affordable - at a 20 per cent discount - constituted the ‘special circumstances’ to permit green belt development. Particularly as the land had already been used as a car park.
One of the eight nearby homes to object said: “Not only did Middlewood Road get submerged (in 2019) but the proposed development site did also!
“Building houses on such a ‘flood plain’ cannot be logical or right. This will only add to the probability of more flooding caused by run-off not to mention the problems to the potential new inhabitants. Giving the go-ahead to this development is not in the interest of local people, wildlife or countryside.”
Council officers said that flood concerns that had seen the 2018 application fail were now addressed with a proposed drainage strategy.
And they highlighted the large need for affordable homes in Poynton, saying current waiting list data shows 153 households had applied for rented social accommodation in Poynton.
Planning officer Adam Barnes said in his report: “However this may not reflect the total demand as residents acknowledge the limited provision and will register for other areas
“It is important that residents in Poynton who are seeking their first step on the housing ladder, or need to move due to an expanding family, have the choices available to them to stay within their community.”
It was ruled that the scheme now complied with council policy and would have ‘limited impact’ on the openness of the area.