Plans for up to 27 homes in Duddon approved despite countryside restrictions
The proposed development near Tarporley Road includes eight affordable homes, with housing supply pressures influencing the council’s planning assessment.
By Chester Standard
Plans for up to 27 new homes on countryside land in Duddon have been granted outline planning permission by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The proposed development would occupy a 3.5-acre site south of Tarporley Road and north-west of Meadow Bank Farm.
Indicative plans show a mixture of market and affordable housing, with 19 properties intended for private sale and eight designated for social, affordable or intermediate rent.
The eight affordable homes would represent approximately 30% of the proposed development.
Housing shortage influences decision
The council’s planning assessment acknowledged that residential development at this location would not ordinarily be supported under policies restricting new housing in the countryside.
However, changes to national planning policy and the council’s housing land supply position were central to the assessment.
According to the planning report, the authority was considered to have an undersupply of housing against the requirements of the revised national planning framework.
Planning officers concluded that the additional homes would make a positive contribution towards addressing that shortfall and supporting the Government’s objective of increasing housing delivery.
The decision illustrates how housing supply requirements can influence planning applications on land where residential development would otherwise face policy restrictions.
It does not mean that all countryside sites are automatically suitable for housing. Individual applications must still be assessed against relevant planning policies and their potential impacts.
Road safety considered
The effect of the development on surrounding roads was also examined during the planning process.
The council’s assessment concluded that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety.
It also found that the cumulative effects on the wider road network would not be severe enough to justify refusal on transport grounds.
Those conclusions formed part of the assessment supporting outline approval.
Further plans still required
The permission establishes acceptance of the development in principle, subject to the terms and conditions of the approval.
It does not amount to approval of every aspect of the proposed housing scheme.
Further detailed submissions will be required for matters reserved under the outline permission before those elements of the development can proceed.
The final housing layout and other design details will therefore depend on subsequent planning approvals.
The proposal currently provides for a maximum of 27 homes, rather than confirmation that all 27 properties will necessarily be built.