Plans for 40 homes at Cheshire West business park rejected by council

Cheshire West and Chester Council has refused an outline planning application for 40 affordable homes at Gadbrook Park in Rudheath.

That is despite 'growing concern' around the site's future.

In a report recommending the application be turned down, case officer Jill Stephens explains the site must be ‘retained and protected’ for employment purposes, as per local policy.

“The proposed development would result in a residential development in an allocated employment area,” the report reads.

“Residential development of the site would be contrary to the strategic objectives of the development plan and would not be required to meet an identified need.

“Development of the site for residential purposes would limit the range, quality and quantity of employment land allocated to meet the strategic requirements to 2030 (to deliver at least 30 hectares of employment land in the Northwich area).

“It is also considered there has been insufficient marketing of the site for new build employment uses and the residential use of the site would not be compatible with the surrounding employment park.”

Site notice at the proposed development area (Image: CWAC)

An outline planning application was submitted on behalf of Osborne House Group in July 2023.

It stated that prior to Covid-19, Gadbrook Park was a ‘successful’ business park.

However, the ‘shift in work habits’ resulting from the pandemic ‘significantly changed matters’.

"There is growing concern over the long-term sustainability of Gadbrook Park as an office location," the application adds.

“The increased popularity of homeworking has facilitated the slow demise of Gadbrook Park.

“At least 30 per cent of offices are currently vacant despite active marketing for at least 12 months.

“In light of this situation, and to avoid the application site remaining as vacant grassland and detracting from the amenity of the area, the landowner is pursuing a residential development.”

The proposal was for 40 homes, with a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom properties which would make a ‘meaningful contribution’ towards the council’s affordable housing target.

They would have been built on an undeveloped part of land which is currently overgrown and unmaintained.

However, on Wednesday (July 24), Cheshire West and Chester Council formally rejected the application.

“The local planning authority considers that the proposed development is unacceptable in principle,” the case officer’s report concludes.

“It has therefore not been possible to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive way to secure a development that will improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.”