PLANS to build 770 homes in Appleton and Grappenhall Heys look set to be approved – despite hundreds of objections from concerned residents.

On March 10 the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) registered outline planning applications for 370 homes at its Appleton Cross site, on Dipping Brook Avenue, and 400 at Grappenhall Heys, off Witherwin Avenue.

A number of public meetings have since been held by Liberal Democrat councillors, with a campaign group also established.

The two applications will come before the development management committee at the Town Hall next Wednesday – both have been recommended for approval.

The Grappenhall Heys land

 

Warrington Guardian:

There are also proposals to build a small supermarket, medical centre and another facility for community use, which could be a place of worship, on the Appleton land.

HCA figures insist the scheme will 'enable the delivery of a well-planned, sustainable extension to the existing urban area'.

But residents have continued to voice serious concerns over 'traffic, road infrastructure, unfair loss of green space and the readiness of health and education provision'.

Campaigners and councillors are calling people across south Warrington to attend Wednesday's planning showdown to help persuade the committee to 'rethink' the recommendations.

The Grappenhall Heys land

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Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall) said: "These are two hugely important applications and people rightly have many concerns about them.

"Highways, school places, health provision and protecting green spaces are just some of the major issues which we feel haven't been done justice by planning officers' recommendations to approve the applications."

More than three hundred objections have been received for each application.

Resident Annette Cumbo is calling on the council to 'listen' to the public's fears.

She said: "It seems too much like a done deal but there are serious questions, which we would like answered.

"A good turnout from residents will give more weight to our shared concerns."

The Appleton land

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Sharon Harris (LD – Appleton) is also calling on the committee to refuse permission.

She said: "This application should be considered in conjunction with the other HCA sites and that for 79 houses in Appleton Thorn, with the potential for in excess of 2,000 cars needing to use the current infrastructure.

"If they are treated separately, the cumulative effect is unacceptably understated, as it will negatively affect a wide area as well as economic wellbeing."

In February the HCA's plans to build 180 homes at Pewterspear Green were approved by the authority.

A map of the Grappenhall Heys land submitted in planning documents

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Judith Wheeler (LD – Appleton) has requested a deferral until the borough's new core strategy, local plan and green belt review are completed.

She believes the 2014 local plan is 'outdated and gives no guidelines on how development and associated infrastructure will look from 2018 onwards'.

"The four applications in the area should be considered as a strategic development and there should be strategic changes to the transport infrastructure," she added.

"While the immediate road network is satisfactory, all vehicles will exit onto junctions at, nearly at, or over capacity.

"What it does not do is look at the wider network and the crucial junctions."

A map of the Appleton land submitted in planning documents

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