Housing and business complex plan is rejected (From Warrington Guardian)

Housing and business complex plan is rejected

PROTESTORS have won the first round of their fight against plans for a new housing and business development in St Anne's Lane.

The application from Muller Property Holdings to replace an existing industrial building with a four-storey residential and commercial complex has been turned down by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

Muller Property Holdings' plans included 46 residential apartments, 10,000 square feet of office and retail space, landscaping and improved access onto St Anne's Lane.

The company has launched an appeal, calling the council's verdict "preposterous".

The application drew objections from Nantwich Town Council and Nantwich Civic Society, as well as eight residents in St Anne's Lane and Welsh Row.

In rejecting the application, the planning report said "the development failed to respect the form, character and pattern of surrounding development, and failed to preserve or enhance the Nantwich Conservation Area."

The report also said that the development would result in "demonstrable harm to the residential amenities of nearby dwellings by reason of unacceptable overlooking, over domination and loss of outlook."

Muller Property Holdings has launched an appeal against the decision to reject the application.

The company's developers said that the scheme would enhance the area, add value to the adjacent Welsh Row and reduce the movements of large HGVs visiting the current warehouse site.

Developer Colin Muller refuted planners' objections to the development, and said that the authority had not given the application the consideration it deserved.

He said: "To say this scheme does not respect the form, character or traditions of Welsh Row is preposterous.

"We have taken great care to research and put forward designs that reflect the architectural styles and construction materials of the area.

"Our submission was extremely detailed and included a raft of supporting reports and statements from local architects, planning consultants, traffic and transport specialists and affordable housing experts.

"To receive a response which suggests that the authority hasn't even examined the documentation in detail is unacceptable."