Riverside properties in Chester’s Sandy Lane give rise to objections

Jun 5 2009 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

OBJECTIONS have been raised to the prospect of four new properties on riverside land containing a boat repair business.

The application is the third to have been made since 2004 for residential development on the conservation area site

near Riverholme on Sandy Lane, Chester.

Hallamshire Investments and Charters Homes Ltd have told planning officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council buildings on the land would be demolished.

Three of the new homes would be designed in traditional Italinate style, three storeys in height and the fourth would be a more contemporary, wooden boat house style two storeys in height.

Sandy Lane has a variety of buildings, according to a report, from modern apartment blocks and old villa style properties to more modest terraced and semi detached homes.

A previous application for six town houses, each with a boat house, was refused and dismissed at appeal.

More recent plans involving four properties were withdrawn.

Neighbours have sent in 10 objections pointing out the land is in a high flood risk area and the loss of the boat business should be resisted.

They feel the scheme is over development and the new build would lead to loss of views to the river and across the conservation area.

The design would harm the conservation area, they argue and further traffic would add to congestion.

Borough planners point out that although the appeal inspector considered the loss of the boat repair business would be “unacceptable”, it had not been the main issue and was not a substantial reason for refusal.

They feel the properties would be in keeping with other development on the riverside.

The high quality scheme would add variety on the highly prominent and sensitive location and would enhance the conservation area.

There would be no unacceptable harm to residential amenity.

Recommending the application should be approved, they suggest it overcomes the reasons for the refusal of the earlier scheme.

It is due to be considered by a Cheshire West and Chester planning committee at the request of Cllr Tom Parry (Con, City).

The meeting takes place at Ellesmere Port on Tuesday June 9 at 4pm.