New village estate set for green light despite concerns

Halton Council’s Development Management Committee meets this week where it is recommended to approve 13 properties on land bounded by Church End and Town Lane, a parcel of land in the Hale Village Conservation Area.

The application by Knight Hill Homes Ltd includes three mews houses with three bedrooms, four semi-detached houses with four bedrooms, and six detached properties – two of which are three bedroomed and four with four bedrooms.

The planned houses are a combination of two and 2.5 storey properties with accommodation in the roof space. The three mews houses would be classed as ‘affordable’, capped at £250k with anyone who buys one having to fulfil specific, government-defined criteria.

The land by Church End and Town Lane in Hale where 13 homes are planned. Google Earth (Image: Google)

The site is allocated as a residential development site with capacity for 12 houses by the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP) a document which was voted in last year and outlines the borough’s planning strategy up until 2037.

A total of 30 representations have been received in response to a public consultation, raising concerns including loss of light and the overlooking of existing properties.

Ward councillor Mike Wharton has also submitted a response, he said: “I have concerns relating to access and egress to the site. The Town Lane proposed road is close to the school entrance and is extremely busy - particularly at school opening time.

“The other proposed road is extremely close to a bend and visibility as you come out of that road would be extremely limited.

"I would ask that the highways team give consideration as to how these issues can be mitigated if the proposal is agreed by the Development Management Committee."

Hale Parish Council has also objected, stating: "This land parcel is one of the last remaining developable plots of land within the parish and residents are concerned about the impact this development will have on the Conservation Area, our need for retirement homes, and its discord with Halton's Local Plan.”

The village is one of 10 conservation areas in Halton which have been designated for the value, appearance and character of their physical environment.

Recommending that outline permission be granted subject to conditions, a report to the committee, said: “The proposed development’s impacts on the Hale Village Conservation Area have been considered by the council’s heritage advisor.

"It is considered that whilst the development does not contribute an enhancement to the conservation area, it does not prejudice the quality of the area to the extent that the perseverance of its character is compromised."