PLANNING officers are calling on councillors to give the go-ahead for 268 new homes on land behind the Verdin Exchange in Winsford.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee will consider the proposals at a meeting on Thursday, July 23.

The land includes Verdin playing fields, and the eastern part of the fields totalling 1.74 hectares would be lost to housing, with the remainder becoming home to six new sports pitches.

More than 20 households have written to CWAC in opposition to the scheme, but Winsford Town Council has not objected to the plans, and planning officers insist the project should go ahead.

In a report published today, July 15, CEC officers said: “The delivery of housing, with a strong positive mix of tenure and compliant level of affordable housing, in a sustainable location, all assists with the objective of supporting regeneration of the town.

“These socio-economic benefits of the development weigh substantially in favour of the development to outweigh any harm.”

One of the biggest concerns involves the loss of space on Verdin playing fields.

While the number of recognised sports pitches will be increased on the site from four to six under the proposals, the reduction in land is a key sticking point for Sport England.

In an objection to CWAC, the national body said: “Pitch types can change from season to season in response to the demands from different sports.

“Therefore the whole of the playing field [should be] protected to ensure that the pitches can be relocated within the playing field to avoid wear and tear and respond to requirements.”

Winsford Colts currently use the football pitches on Verdin playing fields, and CWAC admits ‘there is no argument’ that the pitches are unwanted.

Another concern highlighted by United Utilities is the site’s proximity to a wastewater treatment site, with a suggestion that new residents could be hit by smells, noise and flies – but environmental health officers are satisfied that this has been mitigated in the latest plans.

Other objections from neighbours include the potential harm to wildlife, the impact on traffic and a loss of privacy for nearby residents.

But CWAC officers point out the site is allocated for new homes in the Winsford neighbourhood plan, that the scheme fits into the council’s own local plan and say the redevelopment of the land ‘is of overriding public interest’.

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Of the 268 homes, 80 would be built for CWAC as council houses, while 92 are expected to be built for another registered housing provider, with 96 going on the open market.

If approved, the developer will be required to pay £180,000 for road improvements on the A54 High Street, £260,000 for ancillary sports facilities such as changing rooms and £61,242.50 for biodiversity enhancement works.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, will also have to approve the scheme following CWAC’s decision if it is to be allowed because it involves the Verdin playing fields.