New plans for Lower Stretton golf driving range after previous refusal

It comes after planning chiefs previously rejected the scheme in Lower Stretton in September 2022 citing concerns over the impact on green belt.

Plans have now been resubmitted to Warrington Borough Council for a change of use of land at Walnut Tree Farm on Northwich Road.

These are for the erection of buildings for the driving range, including the provision of parking, landscaping and ‘biodiversity enhancements’, together with diversion of public footpath.

The land is currently listed as agricultural use, documents state, as well as the creation of parking spaces for 46 cars and two full-time jobs.

Opening hours would be a maximum of between 7am and 10pm, Monday to Sunday. No flood lighting is proposed, with opening hours will be reduced during the winter to daylight hours.

Planning documents state: “As with many agricultural practices, Walnut Tree Farm has been subject to substantial pressure to diversify in recent years.

Plans show how the driving range would look. Picture: Design Planning and Services

“As a result, there are currently a number of uses on site in addition to the existing agricultural operation.

“The uses on site include a range of agricultural buildings used for the existing dairy operation, farm shop, café, offices and a document storage business.

“The application is a resubmission of the application which was refused by the council in September 2022.

“Three reasons for refusal were given which related to the proposal being inappropriate development in the green belt, impact on protected species and impact on the rural setting.

“The scheme has been modified to address these concerns, with the building set at a slightly different angle to avoid impact on protected species, and with additional areas of landscape planting and biodiversity net gain.”

They add: “The proposals are appropriate development in the green belt.

“However, if they are treated as inappropriate development, there are very special circumstances in this case that outweigh the harm to the extent that planning permission ought to be granted.”

Plans show how the driving range would look. Picture: Design Planning and Services

One letter of objection has been submitted by a resident, and this reads: “There is already this same facility within half a mile.

“Why would you therefore need to destroy the greenbelt with add another building and concrete parking area?

“Also, more traffic to an already overused A559 road and footpaths should not be altered in green belt.”

In rejecting the plans in their previous form, the council said: “The proposed development would constitute inappropriate development in the green belt.

“The proposal has an unacceptable impact on a protected species, and insufficient evidence is provided that alternative solutions to avoid or reduce the impact on the protected species have been considered.

“The proposed development, including the car parking areas and access, does not relate satisfactorily to its rural setting and encroaches on rural land in agricultural use.

“It would result in the loss of agricultural land and visually damage the existing character of the area to the detriment of local residents.”