09/00404/OUT: Gateacre Village Developments is requesting construction of up to 5 dwellings on the land to the rear of number 8 Moughland Lane, Runcorn. (May we add that the applicant on the formal proposal has now changed to the occupants Mr and Mrs McCormack.  This is because a tree with a TPO has recently been requested for removal to the front of the house to enable access improvements!  To apply for a tree removal of this kind, applicant has to be owner of land).  The land to the rear of the house is currently a family back garden and has been for over 100 years.  A loophole in the law states that the land can be classed as 'brownland development', however the opinion of all residents is that the developers are conducting what is now more commonly known as 'back garden grabbing'.
 <Family Garden Classed as Brownland>

The density and the architecture of this proposed development is not consistent with the surrounding communities.  Every town needs diversity of choice in its Residential stock. There are becoming  fewer and fewer large Victorian family houses with mature and generous gardens, No 8 Moughland Lane is such a property. It would be a great pity if this house and the surrounding area was downgraded by the introduction of five poor quality dwellings cramped in this fine garden purely for financial gain.  <Fine Victorian House>

The proposed 60cm alterations to the junction of Tree Bank Close and Moughland Lane are potentially hazardous.  A pinch point will be created on Moughland Lane.  Coupled with the narrow width of Tree Bank Close a potential accident hotspot will be created.  <An Artist's Impression of Proposed Junction>

The destruction of the land and natural screening will have a detrimental effect on wildlife and ecosystems and will compromise the security of those living in Royden Avenue, Whitley Close, Tree Bank Close and Moughland Lane. <Loss of Ecosystems>  The Developer\associate has already wilfully killed at least three established mature trees that are key in the development process.  This ring barking of the trees a day before a Tree Protection Order was applied has left them unhealthy and unsafe.  These are now a danger to residents and health and safety concerns to current property occupiers.  This is unacceptable and the only logical conclusion is that the developer realises that retention of these trees would compromise the intended positioning of property due to the size of the root system.  These despicable actions have left the residents concerned about the integrity and worthiness of the developer.  <Ring Barked Trees>

The first Duty of a Planning Department should be to safeguard the environment and the quality of life to the people in the area when assessing and approving any development. They should be prepared to use their professional skills without worrying about the outcome of an appeal against their decision.  This does not appear to be the case in this application. The scheme is well below the standards required in the "Design of New Residential Development" published in August 2009 and has unsatisfactory access from Tree Bank Close, a very narrow Cul de Sac. <Tree Bank Close Access>

We already have over 100 signatures signed on our paper petition.  Please join in the fight against 'Back Garden Grabbing' and sign our online petition. 

<< SEE THE LINKS ON THE RIGHT FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PICTURES >>

<< PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BELOW >>

IN ADDITION YOU MAY LIKE TO ADD YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO
HALTON PLANNING OFFICE USING THE LINK HERE : HALTON PLANNING OFFICE

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