Highly controversial plans to build hundreds of new homes near chemical facilities in Runcorn have hit the buffers following the announcement of a public inquiry.

Halton planning chiefs rubber-stamped an application by SOG Ltd in May which included 545 ‘net zero’ homes, a 55,000 sq ft vertical farm powered by hydrogen, office and leisure space at the Heath Business and Technical Park.

The scheme proved highly contentious, with more than 700 objections submitted and 150 local residents turning up to the meeting on the night. The government’s safety watchdog the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also objected ‘in the strongest possible terms’ over its proximity to chemical facilities in the town, but its concerns were dismissed by Halton planning bosses who voted unanimously to give it the green light.

The HSE subsequently recommended that the plans be called in by the Secretary of State - who has now done so.

A hearing will now take place presided over by an independent planning inspector. They will then make a recommendation and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will have the final say.  

The site is located near what is known as the Runcorn Chemical Complex. It has been in operation since 1833 and is operated primarily by Ineos
/ Inovyn / Koura which hold hazardous substances consents for several chemicals that are used on site.

The reason for HSE’s original objection was the proximity of the planned scheme to the chemical complex. The HSE makes decisions based on the modelling of scenarios such as chemical leaks and spills and the potential impact on local residents.

But at May’s meeting, Halon’s planning chiefs claimed that HSE’s figures were 30 years out of date and accuses it of 'stoking fears', adding that they had to make decisions balanced by the needs of the borough for things like housing.

Paul Smith, spokesman for SOG Ltd, said: “SOG concur with statements made by councillors at the meeting who raised their own deep concerns about the risk assessment presented to them by the HSE which formed the basis of their objection."

He added: "Ultimately, Heath Park is an innovative scheme that has been meticulously researched and is one which the council unanimously approved. "The masterplan for Heath Park has already won two prestigious national awards and our scheme is promoted in the Government’s global investment atlas worldwide. Heath Park has also been declared a ‘beacon project’ by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram."

A Halton Council spokeswoman said: “The borough has a disproportionate number of public safety zones generated by an airport, hazardous installations, and pipelines compared to the average local authority area. Representations on planning applications that relate to these matters are therefore common.  A decision to call-in the Heath Park application was expected.”

She said the council had ‘effectively managed’ public safety risks in land use planning over the last few decades through its local plans and associated planning policies, she added: “Halton’s local approach has been successful. The Council must plan for its existing communities and deliver their basic needs, such as housing, jobs, schooling, and other facilities.”

Local resident Matt Morris, one of the original objectors, said: “I am extremely happy that this development has been called in hopefully the planning inspectorate puts a stop to this nonsense.”

An HSE spokesperson said: “We have been notified of the SoS’s decisions to call in the planning application for their own determination. The planning inspectorate will lead the public inquiry and HSE, in its role as a statutory consultee to the planning process, will provide any necessary support.”

The date has been scheduled for February 4 next year but no location has yet been given.

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