A government inspector overturned the council’s decision, approving 92 homes near Mill Lane after an appeal.
A government inspector overturned the council’s decision, approving 92 homes near Mill Lane after an appeal.
Homes Approved on Former Green Belt in Newton le Willows After Appeal
But, the council’s planning group rejected the building plans in March 2024. The council had already rejected a similar plan in December 2022, marking the second rejection.
St Helens Council explained their most recent denial, stating that access roads conflicted with their Local Plan, which seeks good housing and jobs. The council thought the houses looked bad and the development looked isolated, which would hurt the area’s look and feel.
The council also mentioned several other problems about open space, trees, and the drainage plan. Additionally, Wain Homes did not offer money for local schools or contribute to biking or walking paths, as developers usually do.
Wain Homes appealed the council’s decision and asked a government inspector to review it. The inspector reversed the council’s decision, noting a change in plans where the number of houses decreased from 99 to 92.
The inspector discussed the land’s safeguarded status, suggesting it could be a second development phase following the initial building. He concluded that the plan only slightly conflicted with local rules. He didn’t think the houses seemed isolated, noting that they would fit visually and saw no harm to the area.
The inspector didn’t foresee an increase in crime and thought the site would be safe for residents, stating that concerns about antisocial behavior were unfounded. He knew local services were strained already, specifically hospitals and doctors’ offices, but he felt funds were adequate. For education, Wain Homes agreed to pay fees.
The inspector believed the location was convenient and developing there would boost housing. He felt benefits outweighed the small plan conflict.
But, the council’s planning group rejected the building plans in March 2024. The council had already rejected a similar plan in December 2022, marking the second rejection.
St Helens Council explained their most recent denial, stating that access roads conflicted with their Local Plan, which seeks good housing and jobs. The council thought the houses looked bad and the development looked isolated, which would hurt the area’s look and feel.
The council also mentioned several other problems about open space, trees, and the drainage plan. Additionally, Wain Homes did not offer money for local schools or contribute to biking or walking paths, as developers usually do.
Wain Homes appealed the council’s decision and asked a government inspector to review it. The inspector reversed the council’s decision, noting a change in plans where the number of houses decreased from 99 to 92.
The inspector discussed the land’s safeguarded status, suggesting it could be a second development phase following the initial building. He concluded that the plan only slightly conflicted with local rules. He didn’t think the houses seemed isolated, noting that they would fit visually and saw no harm to the area.
The inspector didn’t foresee an increase in crime and thought the site would be safe for residents, stating that concerns about antisocial behavior were unfounded. He knew local services were strained already, specifically hospitals and doctors’ offices, but he felt funds were adequate. For education, Wain Homes agreed to pay fees.
The inspector believed the location was convenient and developing there would boost housing. He felt benefits outweighed the small plan conflict.