Defeat on the cards in new homes battle (From Warrington Guardian)

Defeat on the cards in new homes battle

A GROUP of Winsford residents are facing defeat in their battle to stop a new housing development from going ahead.

Barratt Chester has submitted a planning application for 69 new houses on the undeveloped part of Rookery Rise, at the rear of existing homes on Station Road and Dierden Street.

The application has prompted an angry response from nearby residents, who say that the new houses would increase traffic, putting the safety of pedestrians - especially children - at risk.

A petition against the plans, signed by 61 residents, has been sent to Vale Royal Borough Council, along with nine separate letters of objection.

But when the application went before councillors last night, Tuesday, it carried a recommendation of approval from planning officers.

As well as being concerned over possible traffic levels, the Station Road residents also fear noise and disturbance during construction, and a loss of privacy arising from houses being built too close to theirs.

However, the council's planners say that the site has already been allocated for housing and that the layout is considered to be acceptable.

If planning permission is granted, the new development will consist of a mixture of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses.

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