CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 64 homes on a Lymm site in the green belt can go ahead after an appeal was successful.

Bellway homes won its appeal to the planning inspectorate over a decision by Warrington Borough Council last year to block the plans.

More than 100 residents had voiced opposition to Bellway Homes’ plans to demolish all existing structures and carry out a remediation of Tanyard Farm, off Rushgreen Road, before building 64 properties

And the scheme was turned down at Warrington Town Hall in March.

However now the planning inspectorate says the work can go ahead.

Of the 64 new homes, 24 will be ‘affordable’ according to the developer.

Cllr Bob Barr, (LD – Lymm) who sits on the council’s planning committee, said: “The appeal was contested by a large professional team representing Bellway Homes.

“It was won on technical grounds relating to the proportion of the site that is deemed to be ‘previously developed’ and Warrington’s inability to demonstrate that it has a five year supply of land available for housebuilding.

“Our arguments that this land could be better used for other purposes were rejected.

“This case was exceptional and it is unlikely that other green belt sites will be granted permission before the publication and the adoption of the Local Plan for Warrington in 2020.

“However, developer demand for permission to build on greenbelt sites in Lymm remains very high.”

A number of businesses are currently located on the land and will be forced to move as part of the application.

Those premises will be demolished to make way for the new houses on the site.

The developers say the plans will come with an increase in green space.

They plan to plant new hedges and woodland to encourage greater biodiversity and ecology in that part of the village.