Cheshire: New estate with 185 homes and 'wildflower meadow' planned

Bloor Homes has submitted an application for a development it calls Aspen Brook off South Lane,  Widnes, on an 18 acre patch of arable land.

According to the company, there would be a range of property sizes with the majority being three and four bed homes. A total of 20 per cent would be classed as ‘affordable’ and made available for shared ownership, affordable rent or as 'first homes' - a specific government scheme with prices capped at £250k.

A design and access statement submitted in support said the estate would feature a ‘central green corridor’, creating what it called a ‘new and attractive green park’.

It would also contain a circular walking route, running route and wildflower meadow. A pedestrian and cycle route is also proposed which the company said would 'encourage active travel and provide an attractive route for residents, visitors and the local community'. Three primary access routes would be provided from South Lane.

The proposed layout of the new estate. Image from planning documents by Bloor Homes (Image: Bloor Homes)

The proposed estate would be built on former Green Belt - protected land designed to guard against urban encroachment into the countryside. The site was removed from the Green Belt when Halton’s Full Council voted to approve a new Delivery and Allocations Local Plan in 2022.

Since then, other housebuilding projects have also since been approved nearby. One by Prospect Homes for the development of 99 properties was rubber-stamped for land immediately to the west of the new proposal, while Redrow had two applications totalling 479 homes also approved off Derby Road and South Lane.

The design and access statement for Aspen Brook, said: “The site is in a sustainable location with Widnes railways station located approximately 2.3km to the south west of the site.

“The adjacent bus stops along South Lane provide onward connections to Widnes and Warrington. Pedestrian and cycle routes are proposed within the site with permeable connections to existing links and onward connections.”

No date has yet been set for a decision.