CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a huge house on a floodplain have been rejected by Warrington Borough Council.

Developers had sought planning permission for a property to be constructed on land off Chapel Road in Penketh, known as Well Lane Meadow.

More than 100 residents had formally objected to the proposals, with their concerns centring on the loss of a green space which is regularly flooded by nearby Penketh Brook – most recently having been waterlogged during last week’s heavy rain.

And the council refused consent for the application on Friday, January 22.

WBC’s decision notice stated: “The proposal would result in the loss of an important area of designated open space which forms part of the council’s green space infrastructure and contributes significantly to the visual amenity and character of the area in which it is located.

“As such, it would be detrimental to the established area character and local amenity.

“The submitted flood risk assessment is unacceptable and not compliant with the requirements for site-specific flood risk assessments.

“Insufficient information has been submitted in relation to the affected tree preservation order trees on and adjacent to the site, and as such it has not been demonstrated that the proposed dwelling could be constructed without an unacceptable detrimental harm to their health and consequently the wider area character should they be lost.

“The proposed dwelling – by virtue of its siting, scale and massing – will result in development which fails to respect to the established street pattern and built form, resulting in incongruous and unacceptable development which is harmful to the visual amenity and area character.”

Cllr Linda Dirir had previously said in her objection that approving the plans would ‘feel like the heart of Penketh had been torn out’.

Penketh Parish Council and the Environment Agency also objected to the scheme.