Go-ahead recommended for major housing scheme

Plans for the latest phase of a major mixed-use scheme in Knowsley look set to advance next week.Taylor Wimpey submitted an application to Knowsley Council in July 2020 for a 350-home development on land at Fox’s Bank, Halsnead Garden Village.Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing farm buildings at Cherry Tree Farm and the construction of the homes served off a new vehicular access off Fox’s Bank Lane.The proposed properties would be market housing consisting of three and four bedroom semi-detached and detached homes.The proposal also seeks approval for green spaces and a new pumping station and pond area.The project forms part of the south eastern parcel of land within the Halsnead Garden Village masterplan.The wider scheme was one of the first 14 sites in England awarded Garden Village status by the government in 2017.It will ultimately comprise 1,600 homes and at least 22.5 hectares of employment land, together with education and health provision, 33 hectares of greenspace and a new country park.The council’s planning committee will discuss the application for the homes on 15 July.An officer’s report prepared for the meeting has recommended they grant approval, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement.The report said the main benefit of the scheme is the provision of additional housing on an allocated site.