ELLESMERE PORT: Plans for 267 new homes on green land

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department has received proposals from Wain Homes for the land at Dunkirk Farm, off Dunkirk Way, Backford Cross.

A planning statement put together by Emery Planning on behalf of the applicants’ states that the land is earmarked for development in the local development plan.

Aerial view. The site is marked in red. (Image: DGL / Cheshire West and Chester Council planning documents)

It says: “The application site is located to the north of Dunkirk Way, Backford Cross, and would be accessed via Old Meadow Drive, which currently serves Phase 1 of the wider development, the partially complete Redrow scheme of approximately 96 dwellings, marketed as ‘The Pastures’.

“The previously approved upgrade to the A5117 / Old Meadow Drive junction, in the form of a new roundabout to serve the wider site, remains a component of the development proposals.

It adds: “The application site comprises a greenfield site within the settlement boundary of Ellesmere Port.

“Ellesmere Port is categorised within the development plan as one of the four principal settlements for new housing development.”

These proposals would see the 267 properties set out in the following types and sizes;

• 44 two-bedroom homes
• 94 three-bedroom homes
• 125 four-bedroom homes
• Four five-bedroom homes

Due to viability, no affordable housing is being proposed as a part of this scheme.

According to a design and access statement, parking provided would be a minimum two spaces for two and three-bed properties and minimum three spaces for four-bed properties. Some five-bed properties would benefit from an additional fourth space.

The statement, put together by DGL Associates on behalf of the applicants, says that the design of development would maintain the character of area.

It states: "The underlying design concept was to provide an attractive residential development that provides landscaped edge to the open countryside beyond, retains and maintains natural character of the site whilst complementing Ellesmere Port settlement edge location.

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“The proposal is for a high-quality landscape led development designed around numerous site constraints of the site with provision of extensive open space. The infrastructure around the site and the fact that adjacent parcel in the south-west corner has already been developed means the proposal is almost a large ‘infill’ development.

“The residential mix comprises of 2-5 bedroom dwellings in the form of mews, semi-detached and detached houses. The appearance of the development was designed to be befitting within the local vernacular by use of similar materials and proportions, taking inspiration from positive examples in the vicinity.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council planners will make a decision on the proposals at a future date.

The plans can be viewed in more detail on the planning section of the council's website.