Rayner calls in SOG’s 545 Runcorn homes
Large-scale regeneration plans to transform Heath Business and Technical Park into a neighbourhood with a hotel, extra care facilities, conference centre, shops, and offices have reached a standstill after the secretary of state called in the application over public safety concerns.
Halton Council had voted to approve the outline planning application from SOG Group in May. The project was described as similar to Wirral’s Port Sunlight by the developer.
SOG’s scheme focused on two plots: one at Heath Business and Technical Park and one on land north of Heath Road South. Together, they mounted to 57 acres and include the former home to the headquarters of the chemical company ICI.
Hundreds of objections followed the application, with concerns about the site’s proximity to the Runcorn Chemical Complex and ground contamination. The Health and Safety Executive was one of those who had registered an issue with the project.
These safety concerns are what led Rushanara Ali MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for building safety and homelessness, to call in the application on behalf of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.
The letter announcing the call-in states that Rayner is looking for more information on the following three points, as written in the document:
- The extent to which the proposed development raises issues of risk to public safety.
- The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with the NPPF and the development plan for the area
- Any other matters the Inspector considers relevant
An inquiry date has been set to discuss the application on 4 February.
SOG spokesman Paul Smith said the group was “naturally disappointed” by the call-in, noting that its application had been approved unanimously by Halton Council.
“SOG concur with statements made by councillors at the meeting who raised their own deep concerns about the risk assessment presented to them by the HSE, which formed the basis of their objection,” Smith said.
“SOG will fully support Halton Borough Council in their opposition to this ‘call in’ but we also feel that as the only real point of contention is the perceived risk, this issue could be resolved speedily through the ‘adversarial procedure’, a legal process that might avoid the necessity of a time consuming and very costly public inquiry,” he continued.
“Ultimately, Heath Park is an innovative scheme that has been meticulously researched and is one which the Council unanimously approved. The masterplan for Heath Park has already won two prestigious national awards and our scheme is promoted in the government’s Global Investment Atlas worldwide. Heath Park has also been declared a ‘Beacon Project’ by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram.
“Our scheme will deliver growth in Runcorn and will bring the much-needed new quality housing that Halton Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region desperately needs.”
WSP is the planner for the SOG scheme. The project team also includes Amenity Tree, Greengage, ESG, RAS, LK Group, and EcoResponsive Environments.
You can explore the plans by searching application reference number 22/00569/OUT on Halton Council’s planning portal. To view the appeal page on the Planning Inspectorate’s casework portal, use reference APP/D0650/V/24/3352472.
I live by Heath complex and our roads flood during winter rains as drains cannot cope with demand, so.more houses mean more trouble
By David Smith
“get Britain building again”….. Council approved…. Hmmm…..
By Terry
It’s the council’s fault really. They don’t research sites properly before planning permission is granted. Ending up with illegal builds built in dangerous places and having to be removed.
By M
Five HBC councillors on the planning committee voted to pass this development- most of who do not live in Runcorn. This project is potentially detrimental to the health of residents in an area that has one of the highest cancer rates in the country.
By Anonymous
This is not a balanced piece. Over 700 objections were made each with multiple relevant points. This is not a quality housing project, it’s affordable homes and flats which will bring down one of the few high value areas of the town. HBCs argument that the HSE report is out of date is to be blunt, not true. The HSE requires that updated reports are made every few years.
Having sat in the planning meeting to hear a councillor say, and I quote “I’m no expert but chlorine is not dangerous”
It’s about time both the local population and the concerns raised by true experts are listened to and taken into account.
By James Callan
This is incredibly unbalanced! With no opposition
By Matt
Halton Borough Council is a joke. Spending millions on Runcorn station that is actually an eyesore. Now wasting millions on the Brindley. The only good project is unlock Runcorn. Typical Labour Council. Good at wasting money and not caring about the residents of Runcorn
By Dave Davis
Apart from chemical problems our roads around the Heath and Weston point aren’t big enough to cope with all the extra.traffic
It will bring,also the schools will struggle to cope with extra children it will bring to the neighborhood.
By Anonymous
Thank goodness the HSE are doing their job, On approving the application it seems that the council dismissed the requirements of the COMAH regulations and as for the ” perceived risk” it is a real risk as previous reported cloudburst incidents will show,to have a more in depth scrutiny of the safety concerns is no bad thing
By nev Handley
There are no schools, Drs, jobs, parking availability, The drainage is small, hbc approved an incinerator plant inside a residential village here too, so the explains their incompetence . SOG want to take the in green space we have left, by wanting the horse fields too, this is people’s world and serenity place. It’s an atrocity! !
By Anonymous
Steve Rotherham hasn’t a clue about Runcorn. Too many housing developments and not enough green space.
By Tony
All the houses in the area where knocked down due to land contamination by ici, now they want to disturb all the buried chemicals (hcbd) and cause no end of problems in the area
By Paul
With immigration running at such a high level we desperately need the houses. Halton is now the ‘capital’ of asylum seekers with more than any other borough in the UK. these people have to live somewhere and Halton BC is doing it’s best to house then in the few social houses that become available.
By Halton Resident
ICI knocked down many houses a few years ago because of dangerous chemicals buried underground.And the idea of building lots more houses in an area close to the chemical works is mad and needs dismissing .
By Anonymous
Well thats a dead project then. Typical Liebour.
By Anonymous