Chester: Homes plan appeal for White Gables farm in Upton

An application by Vivio Developments for the White Gables site off Plas Newton Lane in Upton was rejected by the council’s planning committee in July 2018.

But The Standard has learnt that the company lodged an appeal against the decision at the end of last year.

It is now down to the Government’s planning inspectorate to make a final decision on the proposals.

White Gables is a five-bedroom farm house that some say has historic value and should not be knocked down.

It boasts extensive grounds that include stables and outbuildings and had an estimated value on property website Zoopla of £789,000 prior to its sale.

The site is surrounded by built developments including houses, bungalows and flats, as well as Upton-by-Chester High School and Cheshire County Sports Club.

School governors had lodged an official objection to Vivio’s plans saying the new estate would lead to a dangerous amount of traffic in an area.

They claimed the area was already proving unsafe citing an incident when a pupil was hit by a car.

Members of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee then voted to refuse the application by nine votes to one.

Giving their reason, the committee stated: “It is considered the proposed development would result in an increased occurrence of unsafe vehicle manoeuvres during the peak network hours and an increased risk of conflict between vehicles, pedestrians and other road users.”

Vivio proposes to demolish all buildings on the site and build 13 new homes, of which four would be affordable.

It is currently accessed by a narrow driveway off Plas Newton Lane, but the applicant stressed it would widen the road and improve the junction.

The majority of councillors at July’s meeting spoke out against the application.

Cllr Eleanor Johnson said: “What we have before us today is too much on that site with that entrance. I have grave concerns that if it goes ahead there will be people killed.”

Cllr Alex Black was the lone voice of support for the scheme. He said: “I think that providing motorists drive carefully and pupils behave in the road as they should behave everyone should be alright.”

In their letter to the council, governors at Upton-by-Chester High School wrote: “The proposed development of 13 dwellings is likely to impact greatly on the number of extra vehicles which will be using an access/egress point close to the sports club.

“During peak periods, prior to, and following the normal school day, the area can become very congested. Only last week a student from the school was involved in a road traffic accident near the sports club, which resulted in a fractured foot.

“The egress point from the White Gables is closely located near a zebra crossing point for students, which could present an unacceptable level of risk of harm to children. The plans submitted clearly shows an over intensive development of the site.”

Upton by Chester Parish Council also objected on the grounds of “highway impact, overdevelopment/over intensive use, loss of trees and inadequate single track access to the site”.