PLANNING permission for up to 215 homes in Winsford has been granted on appeal.

The proposals, which earmarked farmland off Rilshaw Lane, were thrown out by Cheshire West and Chester’s (CWAC) Strategic Planning Committee last November.

The application was refused because it represented 'piecemeal development' – meaning the developers were trying to push through their entire development in pieces rather than as a whole – and failed to ensure the mixed use development of the Station Quarter Urban Extension.

An appeal was launched earlier this year, but fresh proposals were submitted by Gladman Developments in March of this year.

Application for outline planning permission for the new application was approved at CWAC’s strategic planning meeting on July 9.

And the decision to refuse the original application has now been overturned by Communities Secretary Greg Clark.

Mr Clark acknowledged the project breached the requirement that it should meet the development brief for the area.

However, Clark’s decision letter said: “The degree of harm caused by allowing this appeal in advance of the development brief and in conflict with policies in both the local plan and the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan would be very limited.”

Following the decision, Cllr Brian Clarke said CWAC did not oppose the principle of residential development on Rilshaw Lane, as it forms part of the Station Quarter Urban Extension identified in the Local Plan and the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan.

Cllr Clarke, cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “The council has sought to link the residential development with the Station Quarter Development Brief, which has been to public consultation.

“However the Secretary of State saw no reason not to allow the development in advance of an approved development brief.

“We are pleased that the Secretary of State found in favour of the council’s position to obligate the developer to make provision for education, community facilities and the Flashes Country Park which will benefit the whole community.

“Work is progressing on finalising the Station Quarter Development Brief, and this will have to take into account the Secretary of State’s decision on the Rilshaw Lane application.”