Planners are recommending approval for a Liverpool city region development of 185 new homes, 37 of them classed as ‘affordable’. Tony McDonough reports

Bloor Homes wants to build 185 new homes in Widnes

Developer Bloor Homes is expected to secure approval for 185 new dwellings at a Liverpool city region site.

Bloor has submitted plans to build the new homes on 18 acres of greenfield land off South Lane in Widnes. They would include 148 homes at full market rate with a further 37 classed as affordable.

To be affordable a home has to be available to buy or rent at no more than 80% of the local market rate. Of the 37 homes, nine would be allocated for shared ownership and a further nine for social rent. 

Bloor says the remaining 19 dwellings would be ‘first homes’. These are homes that must be discounted by at least 30% and sold to those who meet the Government’s first homes eligibility criteria.

Three-bed homes will account for 77 of the total with 10 designated as affordable. All the other affordable properties would have one or two bedrooms and 81 homes would have four bedrooms, none of which will be affordable.

Councillors on Halton Council’s planning committee will consider the application on Monday evening. Planning officers are recommending approval.

There have been a small number of objections from people living locally. Complaints included not enough schools and medical facilities in the area, loss of green space, increased traffic and concerns over impact on livestock in nearby agricultural fields.

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In their report, the planning officers said: “While there is an element of non-compliance detailed in relation to housing and affordable housing tenure mix, this is not considered to be contrary to the development plan as a whole.

“Based on the above assessment and subject to the proposed to be issued with a planning approval conditions and legal agreement provisions, the proposal is deemed acceptable. 

“The proposed development would provide residential development on an allocated housing site in a sustainable location, contributing to housing need in the borough and delivery of high-quality development.”