CONTROVERSIAL plans for flats on a site previously earmarked for a pub in Northwich have been narrowly approved.

Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee passed a scheme for 24, one-bedroom apartments in the centre of Winnington Urban Village by just one vote. All the flats will be classed as affordable and managed by Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

The project by Lane End Developments had resulted in concerns being raised by Northwich MP Mike Amesbury, ward councillors and the town council due to the land – which is at the junction of Walker Road and Whitby Drive – having previously been set aside for a pub and restaurant.

But a report to the committee said no plans had been brought forward to build a pub, so the land has instead been earmarked for three blocks of apartments.

Winnington and Castle ward councillor Kate Cernik told the committee that residents were ‘understandably aggrieved’.

She said: “Winnington Urban Village was originally given planning permission to build 1,200 houses just over 10 years ago and building began in 2013.

“The original vision was to create a community with mixed housing, schools GP surgeries, sports pitch, restaurants, pubs - a real community. This is what people buying their properties were promised.”

She said: “Over the last 10 years this vision has all but disappeared. There are a handful of small shops and a small, just opened, community centre. But what hasn't happened is more relevant.

"The school has not been built. Nearby schools are at or beyond capacity. The sports pitch is a basic small park with none of the accessible play equipment that other children in Northwich enjoy. There is no GP or dental service.

"Now the developers want to build flats on the land that should have been another community amenity in the form of a restaurant or village pub.”

She added that the marketing of the site had taken place during a pandemic and that ‘now was not the right time’ to make a decision.

But officers reminded the committee there was a need for single bedroom homes and that members had to consider the application in front of them on its own merits, rather than on any concerns they had about the wider estate’s facilities.

Committee member Cllr Myles Hogg said: “I can fully understand the angst of local residents who bought into a village concept when they were buying and feel let down over many years.

“This hasn't fully come to come to the fore, however, we have to deliberate what's before us this afternoon not what we wish was before us this afternoon. "I think this development for housing is necessary in the circumstances.”

The plans were narrowly passed, with six committee members voting in favour and five against.