A SCHEME to build three new bungalows in Neston, which has been opposed by Neston Town Council (NTC), will be decided on at a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, April 4).

The application, which would see three new dormer bungalows built on Raby Park Road, along with alterations to the existing houses to allow for an extension to the existing driveway, has also been opposed by several neighbours.

The planning application, which was submitted on January 19 2022, states that it will "improve the existing point of entry and extension of the existing driveway off Raby Park Road which currently serves numbers 28, 30 and 30A by means of the removal of the attached garage and conservatory presently occupying the space between 28 and 30".

It also adds: "The driveway will incorporate a 4.5m wide carriageway and a compliant turning head from which the proposed new bungalows will be served."

Neston Town Council 'strongly objects'

In a meeting on March 1 2022, NTC said that they "strongly objected" to the application on the grounds of "drainage and sewerage capacity", "potential loss of biodiversity", "scale and design" and that the new homes do not address the "need for smaller more afforable homes".

In another meeting on July 7 2022, NTC said that "the revised plan does not address the drainage and sewerage issues as the quantity of discharge will be the same."

They added: "The Town Council acknowledges that access to Raby Park Road has been improved but access issues still remain. All other previously submitted objections remain applicable to the revised application."

A neighbour of Raby Park Road, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to the Globe about why they think the application should be rejected.

They said: "Historically it was an ancient apple orchard. It had hedgehogs, woodpeckers, sparrow hawks and foxes.

"When the new people moved in, they straight away cut down all of the trees.

"The entrance to up to all of these properties will only be able to accommodate one vehicle at a time, so imagine the rush in the morning with people trying to get out and in.

"What they are doing is garden-grabbing. Building houses on land."

What the planning application says

In the application, the applicants have confirmed: "Fire brigade and ambulance access to the new dwellings is comfortably capable of being accommodated by means of the purpose-designed driveway and turning head."

It adds: "Bird boxes and bat boxes have been incorporated into the scheme as recommended" and "tree planting will be of native species wherever practically possible in accordance with a Schedule and Specification of Trees.

"The three bungalows are intentionally planned to provide a variation in size and
layout so that there is scope for residents, couples and families of different types
and sizes to find suitable accommodation."

The neighbour added: "There are eight of us neighbours against this application. 

"Neston has a lot of empty properties but Neston needs houses for families. We wouldn't contest houses where young families could move in but they are three and four-bedroom bungalows.

"They are putting expensive houses in and it is not helping the economy in Neston.

"They can't say it's for the people because it isn't."

The decision to reject or approve the application will be decided at a meeting in Winsford tomorrow at 4pm.

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