Consultation over 250-home plans off Clay Lane in Burtonwood

In October last year, developer Brooklyn Holdings consulted with Warrington Borough Council over a screening opinion as part of the proposed scheme.

This would see up to 250 houses constructed on 11 hectares of farmland at Ashtons Farm on the outskirts of the village.

The proposal includes a new access road linking the potential development to Clay Lane.

Documents lodged as part of the process stated: “The proposed development involves the construction of up to 250 residential properties on land extending in area up to 11 hectares, including access roads and structural open space.

“An additional area of 2.5 hectares in the ownership of the clients will be set aside for biological offsetting.

“It is anticipated residential properties will be mainly two storey in height with some three storey dwellings.

“The density of the residential property will be compatible with that of adjacent housing areas.

“The site is located within the green belt but this is a planning, not environmental, designation.

“We are of the view that very special circumstances exist to allow housing on this site – namely the significant shortfall in market housing provision within the borough, the urgent need for the supply of affordable housing in the borough, the recognised need to release land from the green belt to accommodate development needs and the sustainable nature of Burtonwood as a location for further housing to meet recognised development needs.

“In terms of significance of impact, the environmental studies carried out to date suggest that this would be low and of a local nature only.”

The development would be subject to a further full application for planning permission, but residents are being invited to have their say through a public consultation.

This will run from March 21 to April 10, with a leaflet being posted to nearby residents from Results Communications.

Plans of how the development could look

This states: “A planning application for up to 250 new homes is being prepared for land off Clay Lane, Burtonwood, and we want to know what you think.

“The new development will provide new opportunities for people wishing to remain in or move into Burtonwood village.

“The proposal includes a mix of family homes and will contribute to the recognised supply shortfall of affordable and general needs housing in Warrington.

“The application is in outline, with only access to be determined at this stage. All other matters will be reserved for later determination.”

Plans will be available to view via resultscommunications.co.uk from March 21, with residents able to submit views via an online form on the site or by emailing claylane@resultscommunications.co.uk

The exploratory plans provoked a strong response and anger among residents when they were revealed by the Warrington Guardian in October.

Members of the public submitted 35 letters of objection to the scheme, citing worries over development on green belt, the impact on traffic and the lack of infrastructure already in Burtonwood.

One Clay Lane resident said: “The village is already becoming overcrowded, the country roads in and out of Burtonwood will not cope with the extra traffic.

“The schools, bus services and other amenities will be under a lot of pressure to cope with the already growing number of residents.

“This is a small county village and we would like to keep it this way.”

Another added: “This is ridiculous, we are losing all our green belt. That was the reason our family bought property in that area. Now we wish we hadn't.”

A further resident voiced worries over flooding risks, stating: “I believe that the current drainage system in the village cannot cope to accommodate such a large increase of properties as proposed.”

To view the plans before the consultation, search for 2021/40242 on the planning section of Warrington Borough Council’s website.