Plans for a controversial major Knowsley development have moved forward after permission was granted for nearly 400 new homes last week.
Part of a wider project, the Halsnead Garden Village in Whiston, which has been dubbed one of the largest mixed use developments in the north west, the latest proposals have been six years in the making and have attracted some objections from local residents.
The site had previously been partly greenbelt but became earmarked for housing several years ago in the borough’s Local Plan. Part of Knowsley ’s “ambitious” house building strategy, the Halsnead Garden Village site is set for around 1600 properties in total once completed, radically transforming a once sleepy part of the borough.
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Ongoing work elsewhere across the garden village site has led to concerns of congestion issues and several traffic improvement schemes have been carried out to deal with anticipated increases in demand on the area’s road networks.
The application, which went before Knowsley Council ’s planning committee last Thursday, June 9, requested outline approval for up to 377 units. Around 100 of these would be retirement apartments for over 55s. Vehicular access to the site was also part of the application.
The plans were brought to committee by Nuvu Development Limited, an arm of the housing provider Your Housing. According to a council report, the proposals had attracted 40 separate objections by local residents. Three petitions had also been submitted, as well as objections made by the local Whiston town council and neighbouring St Helens Council.
Objections included concerns around congestion, the impact of the development on a nearby church as well as loss of green and public open space.
Objections were also received on the grounds that the development would have a negative impact on existing infrastructure, which could struggle to cope with extra demand.
St Helens Council had objected on the grounds that an inadequate transport assessment had been carried out – although officers speaking at the meeting said St Helens Council intended to remove their objection but this had not been formally confirmed before the report was published.
At the meeting, local resident and leader of the oppostion Cllr Kai Taylor expressed concerns at existing “gridlock” along Windy Arbour Road, which he said he feared would be exacerbated by the scale of development.
Cllr Taylor added: “I can’t see how someone can assess the traffic in that area, the congestion and impact on air quality and think it’s viable.”
Officers said the traffic assessment carried out had been “extensive” and resulted in several improvement schemes being identified, most of which had now been carried out. Officers added that modelling on the junctions affected by the plans showed that congestion would be “within capacity.”
Leader of the council, Cllr Graham Morgan said he welcomed the scheme in providing much needed housing for local residents. with fellow Labour councillor Cllr Jayne Aston describing the plans as “impressive”.
The proposals were recommended for approval subject to a section 106 agreement being signed which would required the developer to pay over £3m in contributions. This includes funds for investment in education, play, community, healthcare, sport and transport facilities across the Halsnead Garden Village site.
Following a vote, the plans were agreed by majority of ten with six votes against. While the scheme can now move forward, more detailed plans will need to be brought back to committee for full permission to be granted before work can begin to be carried out.
