PLANS have been lodged to build houses on the site of a former Chester golf club.

A planning application has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council for six homes at the old Mollington Golf Club, which closed more than four years ago.

Harworth Group are behind the proposed development which would provide two four-bedroom and four five-bedroom detached properties on the site off Townfield Lane.

The plans also include:

  • Demolition of the existing clubhouse and greenkeepers house.
  • Creation of a new footway/cycleway which will link the site to the existing network
  • Restoration of the former clubhouse site as a 'species rich' wildflower grassland and amenity space with seating.
  • Construction of a new car park adjoining the residential development to serve residents and members of the community who are not within walking distance of the site so they can access the walking/cycle routes within the wider area.
  • Landform regrading and pond reprofiling to reveal the ponds on site and enhance the great crested newt habitats.

The developers held a public consultation earlier in the summer but due to the coronavirus pandemic were unable to hold a face-to-face event and instead invited residents to fill in an online survey or email their views directly.

Planning consultants Avison Young have also created a website detailing the proposals on behalf of Harworth Group.

In the design and access statement for the planning application, which was lodged at the end of last month, it states: "Following consultation with the planning department, the number of residential units was reduced from nine to six units, to reduce any impact on the openness of the green belt.

"The proposal has been designed to be in-keeping with the scale of houses within the rest of the village and as such comprises two-storey detached houses.

"Site proposals include the restoration of several areas to enhance biodiversity and improve the landscape setting. The existing pond north of the proposed development will be regraded to reveal the pond edge and sown with amenity grass and wildflowering meadow.

"The pond will be reprofiled to enhance habitat value to great crested newts. The dilapidated golf club house will be demolished and restored to species rich wildflowering grassland/amenity space with seating.

"The former greenkeepers building will be demolished, and the access track filled in. The area will be replanted with native woodland."