A PROPOSED development on the Dane Valley would ‘irreparably harm’ the landscape if granted permission on appeal, the town council has said.

Reserved matters plans for 227 homes were rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council in the summer, but the decision was appealed by developers and is currently being considered by the planning inspectorate.

Northwich Town Council has had its say on the plans, maintaining its objection on the grounds that the initial plan was rejected – its failure to conform to a design plan.

Since a separate 187-home reserved matters plan was approved in 2014, the development has changed hands.

Cllr Andrew Cooper, on behalf of Northwich Town Council, said in an objection letter: “Outline permission was originally approved on this site in 2013.

“At that time the committee were presented with a plan for a landmark, high-quality scheme, reflecting the high-profile nature of the site.

“A rigorous design code was agreed with the developer and incorporate into the conditions for any reserved matters application, as well plans for a ‘public urban meadow’.

“Following the approval of outline application, a reserved matters application was submitted for a design for David Wilson Homes, which was subsequently approved.

“This was for a reduced number of dwellings than what was proposed in the outline permission, but was in compliance with the design code and there were no objections on this point.

“This permission is still live and could potentially be implemented any time.”

The reserved matters application in question is for a design for Bellway Homes. Town council objections are on the grounds of the design code and a Northwich Neighbourhood Plan clause saying ‘new developments should protect the key scenic and distinctive views into and out of Northwich’.

Cllr Cooper added: “The inclusion of the apartment block in the centre of the scheme was, in our view, clearly out of character with the rural setting of the valley and would irreparably harm this protected view.

“This would not necessarily have been the case had the design code been followed, and a lower lying, more meandering street pattern been adopted.

“The applicant was able to achieve this with their earlier reserved matters application, and with this permission still live, there can be no justification to approve a new reserved matters application that does not conform.”

The appeal opened on December 4, and is due to be ruled on later this year.