Plans Lodged for Five Homes on Green Belt Site in Neston
The proposal would develop land behind Conifer House on Hinderton Road, with planners now considering whether housing is acceptable on the site in principle.
By Chester Standard
Plans have been submitted to build five homes on land off Hinderton Road in Neston, with Cheshire West and Chester Council now considering whether residential development of the site is acceptable in principle.
The application relates to land at Conifer House, CH64 9PW, and was received and validated by the council on 31 July.
It seeks Permission in Principle for five dwellings together with associated access, parking, turning areas, private amenity space and landscaping.
The land sits behind Conifer House on the south-eastern side of Hinderton Road and lies outside Neston's defined settlement boundary within the North Cheshire Green Belt.
Documents submitted in support of the proposal argue that, despite its Green Belt designation, the site is strongly influenced by existing residential development around it rather than forming an isolated piece of open countryside.
The applicant's indicative proposals show a mixture of property sizes, comprising two two-bedroom semi-detached homes, one three-bedroom detached house and two four-bedroom detached properties.
At this stage, however, those details are not fixed.
Permission in Principle is a two-stage planning process used for smaller residential developments. The current application primarily asks the council to determine whether the location, proposed land use and amount of development are acceptable.
If permission is granted, a further Technical Details Consent application would still be required before construction could take place. That later stage would consider matters including the final layout, appearance, access, parking, landscaping and other detailed requirements.
The planning case argues that the site is within reach of services and amenities and benefits from public transport connections along Hinderton Road.
It also points to the existing use and development of the land when making the case for housing within the Green Belt.
Another factor raised by the applicant is the residential development proposed at nearby Overdale Farm, immediately to the east.
An earlier application there proposed the demolition of existing outbuildings and the construction of six homes — two with two bedrooms, three with three bedrooms and one four-bedroom property.
The current planning statement argues that development at Overdale Farm adds to the residential character of this section of Hinderton Road and should be taken into account when the Conifer House proposal is considered.
Access to the five proposed homes would be taken from Hinderton Road through an improved entrance.
An indicative site plan shows space for vehicle parking, turning areas, private gardens and landscaping, although those arrangements would need to be considered in more detail if the first-stage application succeeds.
The applicant says the proposed mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes could cater for different types of households, including first-time buyers, people looking to downsize and families.
Green Belt development is likely to be one of the important considerations for planning officers when assessing the scheme. Neston is surrounded by substantial areas of designated Green Belt, and the future treatment of land around the town is also being considered as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council's emerging Local Plan.
The application has not yet been determined.
Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning record currently lists application 26/02413/PIP as awaiting a decision, with the neighbour consultation period due to run until 20 August.