Councillors have given the green light to plans to build eight homes after the demolition of existing buildings.
The proposal from Calore Homes for The Livery Stables on Lymm Road, Warrington, was presented to the local authority's development management committee at its meeting on Thursday.
A report submitted to the committee detailed that the green belt site, measuring approximately 0.5 hectares, currently houses large buildings previously used as stables and an indoor riding arena.
The site also falls within the Thelwall village conservation area and is adjacent to Old Hall Farmhouse, a Grade II listed building.
The report further noted that there are no direct neighbours to the site, which is predominantly rural in character. The proposed development will involve the demolition of all existing buildings and the construction of two large 'C' shaped buildings around a central courtyard, each containing four properties.
According to the report: "Each dwelling would have private amenity space towards the edges of the site. A new vehicular access would be formed off Lymm Road into the site, and the existing access would be closed off."
The development would comprise four four-bedroom properties and four five-bedroom properties, with each property allocated four parking spaces near their front entrances. These parking spaces "would be located at the front and rear of the site as well as within the courtyard".
Cllr Judith Wheeler expressed her concerns during the meeting, stating: "Once again we've got developers who are not building accessible houses.
"These houses are totally impractical, as you get older, if you have mobility problems – there is no opportunity for ground floor living.
"They are executive houses, of which we have got a glut in south Warrington. Four, five bedrooms, suitable for families for a number of years, after that they become impractical.
"And, once again, developers are getting away with it. Eight houses, they don't have to provide any social housing."
The application was publicised through 19 neighbour notification letters, a site notice, and a press notice, garnering a total of 11 responses - two letters of support and nine objections. The report summarised supportive comments, highlighting that the existing buildings are vacant and in 'disrepair', the proposed structures would 'improve the appearance' of the site, and that the suggested modern design is of 'high quality'.
Objections were also summarised in the report, including concerns that the proposed buildings 'would not be in keeping with the local area' due to their design and scale, 'over development' of the plot, the development 'would worsen existing flooding and drainage issues', and the project would increase traffic on a busy road with 'existing highway safety issues'.
Cllr Ian Marks, representing the Lymm North and Thelwall ward, voiced his objections. He expressed worries over the design being 'inappropriate' and 'not in keeping' with the area, the site's location in the green belt, the development constituting 'over development' of the site, and its potential to 'detract' from the conservation area and cause 'harm' to the adjacent listed building.
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council also lodged an objection. Their reasons included the belief that the scale and design of the development would 'fail to preserve or enhance' the character of the conservation area, the development could cause 'harm' to the adjacent listed building, and concerns regarding 'adverse impacts' on protected species.
The report endorsed the principle of development, noting that the proposed plans would not amount to 'inappropriate development' in the green belt area and would contribute to the local housing supply, while any flood risk can be suitably mitigated.
It also stated: "Subject to conditions there would be no unacceptable impacts on visual or residential amenity, or the significance, character and setting of heritage assets.
"The impacts on the local highway network can also be managed by conditions."
