Controversial bid for 233 homes rejected
Planning appeal for project on golf course that thousands had fought against is thrown out
HIGHLY controversial plans to build 233 new homes on a golf course in Widnes are in tatters after a planning appeal was thrown out.
Last year Anwyl Homes applied to construct the properties at Widnes Golf Club, which would also result in the course itself being reduced in size from 18 holes to nine.
The plans had been rejected by the council’s planning committee last March, with more than 2,000 local residents signing a petition against it.
The firm appealed that decision and lodged a new, amended planning application.
But the 13-week period to determine that new application expired and Anwyl and the Golf Club lodged an appeal to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of ‘non-determination’. This meant the inspector would have the final say and not the council.
A five day virtual inquiry to determine the application got under way in February presided over by solicitor Rory Cridland, an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
A sixth day was added to the inquiry in April, lasting for almost five hours.
But on Tuesday, Mr Cridland issued his decision, announcing he had rejected the appeal and that planning permission was refused.
The move is a victory for local councillors and campaigners who have been fighting the scheme.
According the council’s newlyadopted Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP) - which sets out the borough’s planning priorities up until 2037 - development is restricted if there is to be an ‘unacceptable loss of existing sport or recreation facilities’.
Mr Cridland said the applicant had not demonstrated the loss could be mitigated, or that the existing facilities were surplus to requirements.
In his statement, he said: “I do not consider the appellants have clearly demonstrated that the site is surplus to recreational requirements.
“Nor do I consider that replacement provision of at least the same or better quantity and quality would be provided. As such, I find the proposal would result in the unacceptable loss of a sporting facility.”
He also raised concerns over the loss of trees. He said: “The council has raised concerns both in relation to the proposed loss of trees and the protection afforded to those which would be retained.
“These concerns are well founded. “The proposal would involve the loss of around 17 individual trees and 54 tree groups within the site and along its boundary with Liverpool Road.”