HOPES of preventing a housing development at a key riverside spot in Winsford in favour of something more ambitious came too late, Labour councillors insist.

An initial attempt to build a KFC and Starbucks along with 46 homes on the ‘Greedy Pig’ site, where the Bridge Salt Works once stood, was opposed by town councillors last autumn.

Lane End Developments then submitted fresh plans for up to 78 homes on the site, and these were approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee in March.

The decision sparked a furious response from Winsford Labour members, who insisted the move did not fit with the vision for the area in the town’s neighbourhood plan, and held an emergency meeting calling for the ‘damaging decision’ to be reversed.

Now, councillors from the Labour group say the development was at too far an advanced stage to be able to overturn the decision.

Cllr Joanne Moorcroft, leader of the Winsford Town Council Labour group and CWAC member for Gravel, said: “Winsford Town Council will always defend the Winsford neighbourhood plan.

Knutsford Guardian:

“Local people voted for it and for that reason, Winsford Town Council rejected the proposals for drive-thru restaurants and an effort was made to realise the original aims in the Winsford neighbourhood plan for the site.

“Given the level of investment in Winsford, I was hopeful that waiting would have led to a future with more opportunities.

“In reality, the contractual situation meant plans could not be halted, and it became a choice between drive-thru restaurants or affordable housing.”

The planning committee heard in March that initial interest in the site from a car dealership, a café, a supermarket and drive-thru restaurants had never been followed up in seven years.

Work is now underway for the first 46 homes – 10 houses and 36 apartments, which will all be developed for Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

A new planning application with detailed designs for a 27-apartment block in the second phase of the scheme has now been lodged with CWAC – five fewer homes than the maximum allowed on the site.

Winsford Town Council objected to the last application and is standing against the latest one, insisting that while it is in favour of affordable housing, the scheme still goes against the neighbourhood plan.

But Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Labour member for Wharton, says the regeneration plans for Winsford should be looked at as a whole – including CWAC’s hopes of a £21.7 million scheme for the town centre and the Cheshire FA development.

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He said: “Plans for the Greedy Pig site were underway well before the May 2019 elections.

“Drive-thru restaurants would be better suited at other Winsford locations, at the Greedy Pig site they would be a blight on future waterfront regeneration and take visitors away from the town centre which the Labour-led Council is regenerating.

“I know this will not be supported by everyone, including members of Winsford Town Council. It has been a controversial issue in the town. However, it's important not to look at the Greedy Pig site in isolation.

“I want Winsford to be a drive-to destination, not a drive-thru destination and that's what I am fighting for."

The affordable housing plans are also being supported by Cllr Richard Beacham, CWAC’s cabinet member for housing, regeneration and growth.

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He says the plans will help to ‘address some of the housing shortages Winsford families have’ – particularly one and two-bedroom flats – while also creating a riverside cycling and walking route to ‘support future opportunities to enhance the river access at the marina’.

Residents can comment on the second phase application for 27 apartments until September 12.

To view the plans, search for ‘20/02555/REM’ on CWAC’s planning website.

What do you think? Email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk