A development of 228 prefabricated homes at Grappenhall Heys in Warrington has been tipped to be recommended for approval, despite objections from parish councillors.
The Warrington Guardian reports that developer Urban Splash submitted a detailed planning application earlier in 2021 to bring its trademarked off-store manufactured modular units - House by Urban Splash - to the town for the first time, as the final phase of Homes England’s 1,000 home Grappenhall Heys residential housing scheme.
The 228 units already have outline planning consent and Warrington Council is recommended to grant detailed consent to the scheme at a planning committee meeting next Wednesday.
The development will be a mix of two, three, four, five and six-bed homes, and 68 of there 228 will be ‘affordable’.
However, Appleton Parish Council claims the design is ‘not in keeping with the area’, and Grappenhall and Thelwall formally objected, claiming that the development will be 'an additional enclave of development disconnected from local services’. There were also concerns raised about the design, calling it the ‘wrong product in the wrong place’.
Planning officers have said that the development should be approved, stating: “It is recognised that the appearance of the properties is different from the existing (and under construction) development in the surrounding area but it is considered that this reflects a new phase of development that by virtue of the landscape led approach and high-quality architecture will be a positive addition to the identity of the area.”
The development would be built using modern methods of construction, with modular units lifted into position by crane, and House by Urban Splash intends to introduce new typologies to meet the needs of the local market, as well as using existing models from its core range of House designs.
There would also be a central copse, that is proposed to run through the neighbourhood, providing 30,000 sq ft of green space and play areas.
The project team comprises masterplanner Feilden Clegg Bradley, architect Shedkm, landscape architect Planit-IE, multidisciplinary firm Ramboll, transport advisor SK Transport and Avison Young as a planning consultant.
The same planning meeting also discussed a scheme that would involve the demolition of a pub in Grappenhall, replacing it with a three-storey, 70-bed care home facility, car parking, and landscaping.
The proposal details that care home developer New Care, which is part of the Altrincham-based McGoff Group, would construct three blocks connected by glazed-fronted and flat-roofed linked elements.
While access to the site would remain the same, the existing car park would be reduced in size to accommodate 30 vehicles, including three mobility spaces and an ambulance drop-off zone.
The plans have been amended since they were first lodged, with changes including reconfiguration of the proposed balcony area, additional provision of internal ventilation systems and minor changes to the external appearance of the building.
Garner Town Planning is New Care’s planning consultant and CSquared Architects designed the scheme. It is recommended for full consent at the next meeting.
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