Planning inspector overturns Cheshire council’s rejection of 113 new homes

A decision by Cheshire West and Chester Council to reject a proposal for more than 100 new homes near Northwich has been overturned.

The planning inspector revised the authority’s rejection of the project after developer Russell Homes appealed the decision. Now, the housebuilder plans to construct 113 homes on the 10-acre Hill Top Farm site in Davenham, around 3km south of Northwich.

Following the appeal, the planning inspector disagreed with the council’s conclusion that the development was not sustainable. He decided the new homes would have little visual impact on the surrounding environment, and would benefit the area by making affordable properties available and improving local highways.

Macclesfield-based Emery Planning brought the appeal on Russell Homes’ behalf. With outline approval secured, the housebuilder will be able to formulate detailed plans.

Development is expected to begin within the next three years.

Daniel Kershaw, the director of Russell Homes, said: “We are extremely pleased with the inspector’s decision, particularly with his agreement with us that the proposed development is not only sustainable but also offers benefits to the area in terms of meeting housing need and improving the local highways.”

In his report, the planning inspector also dismissed concerns from residents that the development could impact road safety on the nearby A556. According to the inspector, Russell Homes’ proposals would improve the road with the addition of a traffic light junction for vehicles entering the development, as well as a Tucan crossing for pedestrians and lowered speed limits.

Emery Planning’s Alison Freeman commented: “We are delighted with the decision, which endorses our approach to this proposal at both the application and appeal stages.

“The decision is clear that proposals which represent sustainable development in line with the NPPF should be approved.”

The planning inspector also found that the new homes would have little impact on the area’s amenities and would not harm the nearby Poors Wood.

In his report, the inspector wrote of the council’s reasons for refusal: “None of these matters establishes that there would be harm which is significant or demonstrably outweighs the benefits, the most significant of which include housing provision, affordable housing provision, and improvements to the highway network.”

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