Decision due on homes plan for parkland site

PLANNING chiefs are poised to decide whether to give the go-ahead for a housing development on a section of Runcorn parkland.

Building firm Keepmoat has applied for permission for the third phase of homes as part of its Lakeside scheme.

It wants to build 45 two and threebed detached, semi-detached and mews houses at Town Park to the north of Phoenix Park.

A report published for Halton Council’s development control committee said although the 1.25-hectare site is green space, the land has been allocated for housing in the Castlefields masterplan and its loss has been offset by the creation of five hectares of park on brownfield land when Phoenix Park was launched in 2006.

Other works to have taken place include the formation of a lake con- servation area with a no-fishing zone and platform which has deterred yobs, wetland aquatic planting and habitat restoration.

It said Lakeside was created to provide a mix of ‘step-up’ housing a diversify the homes on offer as part of the regeneration of the Castlefields estate.

The report said the council has received three letters of representation from residents, who have complained about the loss of green space, wildlife habitat, highways impact, loss of view, an alleged lack of affordable homes being built, and residents living on a nearby earlier phase have said the developer had not informed them of the plans when they bought their homes.

Halton’s planning officer for the application has said the latter is not a matter for the local authority.

Bridgewater Canal Company Limited said it had no objections in principle but has sought reassurance over the effect on the water level of the lake, drainage and whether the design will make the most of the nearby canal. Planning officers have recommended the project for approval subject to conditions.

The matter is due to be decided in a public meeting at the Municipal Building in Widnes at 6.30pm on Monday, October 2.

In its conclusion, the report said: “The scheme will continue the ongoing redevelopment and regeneration of the area completing the final phase of the Lakeside development as identified in the Castlefields and Norton Priory SPD (supplementary planning document).

“Whilst the submitted scheme as originally submitted raised a number of issues with respect to layout design, levels, landscaping and highway and pedestrian links these are considered to have been successfully resolved by amendment to the scheme.

“Final responses on outstanding consultation are awaited but it is considered that these outstanding issues can be resolved and members will be updated accordingly.

“The scheme is considered to offer a high quality of development suited to the character of the site and the wider area and it is considered that the scheme is in accordance with development plan policy, and the Castlefields masterplan and SPD, which are significant material considerations in the assessment of this scheme.”

A Keepmoat spokesman said: “Due to the overwhelming success of the first two phases of the development, we are now progressing with phase three. We are hopeful that the development will follow in the footsteps of phases one and two and will add real value to the locality, and surrounding areas. When asked about the wider area during the sale of both previous phases, we provided customers with general information around the possibility of future potential Keepmoat developments in the surrounding area, until a scheme is confirmed we are unable to be more specific than this.

“Details of the wider development masterplan for Castlefields are in the public domain, if customers require more detailed information reference potential future development outside of the site they are purchasing we would encourage that the consult their conveyancing solicitor for advice.”