Barratt Homes Apply Again ... Planning Application – Grakle Croft

Barratt Homes have submitted another outline application to develop the Grakle Croft site, Chester Road, with 30 dwellings – documents and site plans can be viewed on the CWaC Planning Portal (17/04645/OUT).

The proposed development would cover at least 66% of this large field off the Chester Road.

Whilst the proposal would satisfy aspects of both the Local Plan and the Tattenhall Neighbourhood Plan, it would seemingly contravene other important requirements.

It seems reasonable to suggest that:

• The development would represent a major incursion into open countryside and would create a 'suburban-style' development.
• The rural character of this principal gateway into the village would be negatively impacted upon and there are inherent dangers since the site is adjacent to a bend on Chester Road.
• Since at least 50% of the proposed dwellings appear to have 4 or more bedrooms, then the development would fail to address local housing needs. The 9 x 3-bed-roomed intermediate houses are likely to be a welcome asset to Tattenhall, but it is to be questioned whether there are any 1 & 2 bed-roomed properties for rent.
• If residents have attended Parish Council Meetings, then they will know that 12 years of the current planning period remain and that housing targets can be met by more appropriate schemes.
• The adverse impacts previously identified by the CWAC Spatial Planning Committee, the Appeals Inspector and the Secretary of State in relation to the previous Barratt Homes Application, still apply in large part. However, the possible benefits such as the provision of affordable housing and the generation of additional economic activity have been greatly reduced. Previously the Secretary of State judged that, in the planning balance, those adverse impacts out-weighed the possible benefits.

Should you wish to comment on this Barratt Homes Application, please send your comments by paper or electronically to:
CWAC Case Officer, Mrs Catherine Reay by 30th November 2017.
Email: planning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Mrs Catherine Reay,
Development Management Planning Service, CWAC,
4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port,
CH65 0BE.