DEVELOPERS are appealing decisions to reject housebuilding in a Chester village.
The outline applications were submitted by Redrow Homes on land at the rear of 2-36 Harding Avenue, Tattenhall, where up to 70 dwellings were proposed, and by Ashley Wall on land behind 15-38 Greenlands where 137 traditional homes were put forward.
They were two of four schemes which could have seen more than 500 new homes built on greenfield land in the village.
All were recommended for approval but the borough's powerful strategic planning committee rejected the applications.
Councillors insisted the harm to the landscape, the character and appearance of the village and the surrounding rural area carried greater weight than the benefits of each development.
The applications were also opposed by Tattenhall and District Parish Council and residents.
Tattenhall Cllr Mike Jones (Con) argued the plans would be ‘disastrous’ for the village and claimed developers were seeking to exploit a window in the planning system involving old and out of date policies.
“Although the Local Plan is out of date, we must not abandon common sense.
“It is wrong that such a disproportionate burden should fall on Tattenhall, on a first come first served basis,” said Cllr Jones, describing the developments as ‘reckless and speculative’.
At the suggestion of Cllr Jones, the committee also agreed a motion asking Secretary of State Eric Pickles to personally determine any appeals that might be lodged.
“I believe we have a sound basis for refusal of these applications that in my view is defendable at any future inquiry,” he added.
