Plans for a residential devlopment in Newton have been delayed

Feb 11 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

A DECISION on a residential development in a Chester hamlet has been deferred to allow the question of affordable housing to be probed.

The situation has arisen at the vacant Oak Room and adjoining commercial and industrial land on Tattenhall Road, Newton by Tattenhall.

Blackham Developments Ltd has put forward revised plans for 27 new houses.

A previous scheme for 39 new properties, with an additional four flats created from two apartments in the pub, was refused. The company appealed but the rejection was upheld by a planning inspector.

The developers have now applied for the smaller number of new, two-storey houses and to build a three- storey block with two live/work units.

The pub would be refurbished and extended as a pub/restaurant with a small convenience store and a two-storey building would create an eight-bedroom B&B.

Planning officers have had six letters, four of which support the development together along with a 36-signature petition.

Objectors argue the development would not be in a sustainable location and would be contrary to policies seeking to restrain housing development in the open countryside.

The Cheshire West and Chester Council affordable housing officer has objected on the grounds that no affordable housing is proposed in the development.

The developers have previously said they would dispose of the land for commercial purposes if housing development does not succeed, a report states.

Planning board chairman Cllr Ralph Oultram (Con, Weaver) told the board the application was ‘complex’ and pointed out the previous scheme had been rejected partly on the grounds of inadequate affordable housing.

Plans were deferred to enable the council to seek independent advice on the developer’s financial assessment.