Council blocks Redrow’s ‘Port Sunlight’
REDROW’S plan for a 2,000-home estate on farmland near Ellesmere Port has been knocked back by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The council’s strategic planning committee went against advice from planning officers to refuse the scheme, described as a garden village development inspired by Port Sunlight, on 260 acres at Sutton New Hall Farm, Ledsham Road, near Little Sutton.
A smaller proposal by Redrow for 145 homes on part of the site, which had previously been allocated for housing, was approved.
The committee took into account 400 letters of objection and opposition from the Ledsham and Manor Action Group. More than 3,200 people signed petitions and there was also opposition from wildlife and environmental organisations.
Some argued against the use of high grade farmland, but others warned of serious traffic issues, the proximity to Urenco’s uranium processing facility, pressure on doctors and schools, and damage to wildlife and the environment.
Labour group leader, councillor Justin Madders, said: “The real focus for this town should be the development of brownfield sites. If we can’t get those to work, we’re not going to regenerate the town. If we agree to 2,000 houses on this greenfield site, we really are going to struggle to get any developer to take seriously the brownfield sites.”
Councillor Myles Hogg said: “This is no Port Sunlight. This is just speculative Greenfield grabbing solely for the enrichment of shareholders of Redrow. It is urban sprawl at its worst.”
Jacqueline Mulliner, on behalf of Redrow, said that objectors’ points had been considered during lengthy consultations. She stressed that the proposal was to create the UK’s first garden neighbourhood village of the 21st century which would bring many benefits to the Ellesmere Port area.
