PLANNING | Halton approves 427 homes

It was approvals all round at the council’s development management committee, with the green light for Miller Homes’ 328-unit scheme off Lunts Heath Road and Prospect Homes’ plans for 99 houses at South Lane.

Land at South Lane

Application number: 22/00377/FUL

Prospect Homes is hoping to start on site this autumn to build 99 houses on the nine-acre Widnes site, accessed off Derby Road.

Designed by Eden Rose Consulting, the scheme will deliver eight two-, 48 three-, and 43 four-bedroom homes.

Of the 99 houses, 20 will be affordable.

Currently undeveloped farmland, the land was identified for residential development in the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan.

The decision to approve the application was made in line with officer recommendations.

This development marks Prospect’s first foray into Widnes.

Nigel Yates, managing director of Prospect, said: “Widnes has been an area we have sought to build in for a while, and we have been searching for the right site…

“Widnes offers residents a great location”, he continued. “They will have amenities and transport links on their doorstep and the site itself has a lovely outlook.”

Stantec is the scheme’s planning consultant. Also on the project team is landscape architect Golby + Luck, arboricultural consultant Trevor Bridge Associates, and transport consultant SCP.

The greenfield site is allocated for housing in the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan. Credit: via planning documents

Land north of Lunts Heath Road

Application number: 22/00318/FUL

Miller Homes anticipates early 2024 move-in dates for Lunts Heath Rise, following the grant of planning permission for the 328-home scheme.

Lunts Heath Rise will provide 12 one-, 39 two-, 165 three-, 101 four-, and 11 five-bedroom properties.

Of the 328 homes, 66 will be affordable.

Plans will also see two new access points created off Lunts Heath Road.

The 42-acre greenfield plot is allocated for up to 381 homes in the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan.

David Brackley, regional operations director at Miller Homes, said: “This development will not only provide much-needed housing options, but also contribute to the ongoing growth and vitality of the Widnes community.

“Lunts Heath Rise is designed to meet the diverse needs of future residents and we are excited to see the project progress.”

NJL Consulting is the scheme’s planning consultant. The project team also includes transport consultant Eddisons, landscape architect TPM Landscape, and arboricultural consultant Trevor Bridge Associates.