BUSINESS use which sparked environmental, traffic and design concerns has been approved for land in Wincham.

Land opposite 19 Wincham Lane has won outline permission for proposed B1 development from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

An indicative layout submitted with the application shows two buildings, 200 and 220 squares metres, with car parking and access off Wincham Lane, and the land is on sale for £80,000.

A planning officer’s report said B1 business uses were capable of being located in a residential area, and the proposed development would not in principle have an unacceptable impact on people living nearby.

The officer said the proposed access point was acceptable, subject to the visibility splay as shown on the submitted plan.

Wincham Parish Council wrote to CWAC to express its concerns over the application, claiming the buildings on the application appeared to come right up to the kerbside, would dominate the street scene and would not be in keeping with homes opposite.

It added that the new buildings proposed blockwork with sheet cladding and glazing, which was an unsuitable frontage opposite Wincham’s only remaining heritage buildings, The Salt Works.

“The site has been of benefit to wildlife over many years, before the industrial estate was developed and more recently when it has turned to scrub,” said the parish council.

“The cherry and plum trees are of benefit to birds, and such scrub is useful territory for a variety of wildlife.”

The council said there was a high volume of traffic on Chapel Street, and a survey recorded 235 vehicles driving down the street over an hour during late morning.

“It is imperative that a full analysis of traffic be conducted along Chapel Street before this application is approved,” said the council, which asked for its concerns to be taken into account by CWAC in any approval for the development.

Documents submitted by Richard Lee Project Planning said the aim of the application was to establish the principle of the site’s development for a range of B1 uses, and the appearance of the proposed buildings would not detract from the area’s character.