PLANS to convert a 100-year-old redundant water tank on a Frodsham hilltop into a ‘semi-submerged’ four-bedroomed home have been challenged by council landscape watchdogs.
They claim the development would ‘alter the character of the prominent green belt site’.
The disused reservoir is sunk into a field off Bellemonte Road next to the Mersey View Farm home of landowner Jane Evans, who is seeking approval from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) to turn the half-buried structure into a two-storey eco-friendly house.
Mrs Evans owns and runs a neighbouring livery yard, and the field is used for grazing and sheltering horses.
A design and access statement submitted to the council describes a flat-roof house constructed within the 12.75m x 6.20m footprint of the existing reservoir.
The roof level would be raised by 1.5m, with banking adjusted and enhanced planting ‘to make the proposed dwelling as concealed as it has always been’.
The statement concludes: “Permission for any development on this site would not normally be considered. But on the basis there is an existing structure there, it’s considered worthwhile to seriously examine making a case for the proposed change of use.”
However, CWaC consultations on the scheme have drawn objections from the council’s landscape team.
They argue the ‘visually sensitive’ green belt site is a designated area of Special County Value for Landscape which attracts a high number of walkers and is visible from the war memorial car park and hotel opposite.
Frodsham Town Council’s planning committee voted by a narrow majority to raise no objections.
