leahortez86: Former petrol station site could become affordable homes

Monday, March 28, 2011

Former petrol station site could become affordable homes

HOMES could be built on the site of a former petrol station and shop off a busy A-road.

Grenson Motor Company has already demolished the filling station, forecourt and associated offices on its land near Crewe and now wants to build 11 family houses.

It is the fourth time an application for housing on the site at Middlewich Road, Bradfield Green, has been submitted.

Two requests, submitted in 2007 and 2008, for 16 homes to be built on the land were withdrawn by the applicant.

A third submission, for 15 homes, was refused in February 2009. One concern was the closure of the petrol station shop.

The land is currently unused. The applicant says that since 2005, the site has been advertised as a commercial site, but there was no interest. They also argue that the shop is not key to the village because of the nearby Minshull Nursery and Garden Centre, which has a better range of stock.

But three neighbours, two in Queens Crescent and one in West View, have objected to the plans.

They say potential homeowners would struggle to get in and out of the new cul-de-sac safely, and that 11 homes is too many for the site.

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council, which will consider the plans this week, said: "The detached properties are arranged around a central cul-de-sac and the terrace properties are proposed along the site frontage."

The terrace houses which would front on to the A530, Middlewich Road, would be classed as affordable.

The council's strategic planning board will discuss the proposals on Wednesday.

The council is concerned about allowing the rural commercial site to be used for housing. It is considered to be a 'departure from the local plan.'

But it has been recommended for approval providing the applicant signs a section 106 agreement, which will secure three affordable homes on the site.

As part of consultation, Cheshire East highways department has said that if the plans are approved, pedestrian crossings will be needed for the A530.

It is a 30mph road through the village.

In a report for Wednesday's meeting, it says: "The site lies within countryside where new residential development is normally restrained.

"The authorised use of the site is an employment site although the earlier petrol station, car sales and workshop uses have ceased and all building have been demolished.

"The proposed residential development is considered to represent an appropriate re-use of the site."

Officers recommend the plans are approved on the proviso three of the homes are to be affordable.