A DEVELOPMENT of 31 new homes will be allowed to proceed after an appeal.

Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee refused an application for planning permission for the scheme at New House Farm in Hatton in November last year due to road safety concerns.

Worries were raised over the Hatton Lane site’s inaccessibility other than by car.

However, the Planning Inspectorate overturned this decision last month following an appeal by Liverpool-based developer Thomas Jones and Sons.

As a result, buildings at the farm – which dates back to 1912 and is located between the junctions with Pillmoss Lane and Sankey Lane – can now be demolished and replaced by six detached, 16 semi-detached and nine terraced houses comprising of between one and five bedrooms.

A report by the Government inspector stated: “I find that the proposal would have a greater effect on openness than the existing development, but compared to the existing situation the difference would be limited in scale and so would not amount to substantial harm to the openness of the green belt.

“I acknowledge that the environment surrounding the appeal site does not provide a high level of access to local services and facilities by all other means of transport.

“However, there are a good number of services within 2km of the site and walking, cycling and public transport are all available to varying degrees.

“These alternatives, alone or in combination, alongside the proposed infrastructure for electric vehicles and implementation of a travel plan mean there would be sustainable forms of transport for future residents to avail of which would reduce reliance on petrol and diesel cars.

“On the main issues of the appeal, I have found no conflict with the aims of the development plan either in terms of the impact on the green belt or the accessibility of the site’s location.”