DARNHALL residents have won their battle against stubborn plans to build a 184-home development in the village.

A planning application was lodged by housing developers HOW Planning in 2013 to build the large amount of homes opposite Darnhall Primary School in Darnhall School Lane.

The application was rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWAC) planning committee and a public inquiry was launched in June 2014 and reopened in September last year by the Inspector, Mark Dakeyne, following an appeal against the decision.

The Inspector concluded that the appeal should be granted but following a long and ongoing fight from councillor and Darnhall residents, the Secretary of State has dismissed the appeal and the Inspector’s recommendation.

A notice on behalf of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark MP, stated: “The Secretary of State gives substantial weight to the social benefits of the scheme, including the affordable housing, and moderate weight to the economic benefits. However, he does not consider that the benefits outweigh the clear conflict with the up to date development plan and the moderate harm to the environmental dimension of sustainable development from the adverse impact from the loss of open fields.

“Accordingly, the Secretary of State disagrees with the inspector’s recommendation. He hereby dismisses your client’s appeal and refuses planning permission for residential development on land off Darnhall School Lane.”

Darnhall residents have objected in force over the past three years. The village was recorded as having a population of 232 in the last Census and 173 signed a petition objecting to the development.

Cllr Stephen Burns, member of Winsford Town Council and Swanlow and Dene ward member at CWAC, said: "This has been a long hard fight to prevent major development which was outside the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan.

“Finally we have a decision in our favour and this decision vindicates the will of Winsford residents to have a Neighbourhood Plan, the determination of Mr.Robin Wood and the residents of Darnhall and the hard work of local councillors and Cheshire West and Chester Council to defend Neighbourhood Planning.”