More than 1,600 angry residents have written to an MP in opposition to plans to build hundreds of homes on fields in his constituency.
Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, said he shares their concerns about the loss of “precious” greenery at Wharford Farm and Sandymoor South in east Runcorn as he announced his intention to also object to Homes England’s proposals for 850 homes. He told the ECHO his view mirrors that of the more than 1,600 constituents who contacted him to voice their opposition.
It follows the submission of an outline application from Homes England to Halton Borough Council for a 250-home extension to Sandymoor on a greenfield site to the north of the Chester-Warrington railway line. Proposals will follow for a further 600 houses on farmers’ fields either side of nearby Red Brow Lane.
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The plans are part of the ongoing expansion of Sandymoor and Daresbury, which both fall within the Halton boundary and which figures provided by Halton Council suggest could grow by more than 4,000 homes by 2037 under the borough’s Sandymoor Masterplan and Daresbury Strategic Site programme.
Concerns have previously been raised by residents including over the proposed closure of a railway level crossing that provides access for walkers, runners and cyclists to the scenic canal towpath between Dutton and Daresbury.
Despite being classed as a greenfield site, the land wasn't among the swathes of land to lose their Green Belt designation in the council's recently-approved Delivery and Allocations Local Plan, a key planning document setting out how land in the borough can be developed up until 2037.
Former shadow housing minister Mr Amesbury said: “My approach is brownfield first.
“Vacant, previously developed land should be targeted for regeneration before concreting over our green and pleasant land.
“Homes England argues this site has been allocated for housing for years, but times have changed.
“We now have global climate breakdown and loss of habitat on an unprecedented scale.”
Mr Amesbury said he recognises there is a housing shortage but opposes Government’s imposition of challenging house building targets on councils like Halton.
He said: “Against this background, Homes England works hand-in-glove with developers to secure quick wins on virgin land, destroying our countryside and generating big profits for house builders.
“I am pro-housing but it should be in the right place and include genuinely affordable homes for local people.
“It’s outrageous just 20% of this scheme will be classed as affordable housing when there are more than 7,000 people on the social housing waiting list.
“It should be a minimum 35%.”
The Weaver Vale MP is also concerned at a lack of infrastructure to serve the 2,277 residents in this development plus thousands more on neighbouring Homes England schemes either built or in the pipeline.
He added: “Homes England is not about building sustainable communities.
“Their own assessment indicates insufficient primary school places.
“Land has been reserved for a new primary school but where is it?
“There’s no GP surgery within 1.5km walking distance of the site and local health facilities are already operating at capacity.
“I also fear the pedestrian level crossing as part of a walking and cycling route on Red Brow Lane will close because Network Rail says the risk associated with the increased footfall is too great.”
Mr Amesbury concluded: “I will be lodging my objection in coming days and urge everyone to do the same.”
Public consultation for the Sandymoor South proposal is open until December 6 and residents should send comments to the council.
Commenting on the wider Sandymoor South and Wharford Farm proposals in December, a Homes England spokeswoman said: "As the Government’s housing delivery agency, our role is to ensure more people in England have access to homes in well-designed places.
"That’s why we are working closely with Halton Borough Council to deliver its Local Plan, building on our successful delivery of homes and infrastructure in Sandymoor to date.
"We are proposing up to 850 new high quality homes, including up to 120 affordable homes."
She added: “These sites have long been identified for housing, forming allocations in the adopted Halton Local Plan since 2005.
"Under our plans, the scheme will create local jobs and provide infrastructure such as new roads and generous green spaces.
"We are consulting on our proposals and will continue to engage with the community, local authorities and other partners."
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