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Planning appeal decision

Allowed16 April 20253350472

Walnut Tree Farm, Northwich Road, Warrington, WA4 4PG

Planning appeal 3350472 at Walnut Tree Farm, Northwich Road, Warrington, WA4 4PG (Warrington Borough Council) was allowed on 16 April 2025 by Inspector Rafiq F, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

the change of use of land and erection of building for golf driving range including provision of parking, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements

Authority
Warrington Borough Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector
Rafiq F
Postcode
WA4 4PG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • whether the proposed development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt
  • the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
  • the effect of the proposed development on the supply of the best and most versatile agricultural land
  • if the proposal is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The very substantial weight afforded to the benefits of providing a specialist golf driving range facility for disabled golfers, supported by major golf organisations, clearly outweighed the substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, reduction in openness, and conflict with Green Belt purposes.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
GB1DC1DC6ENV8
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 154Paragraph 135Paragraph 187

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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More decisions in Warrington Borough Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

  1. Allowed26 October 20266008814
    Land at Fowl Farm, Off Mowcroft Lane,, Cuerdley, Warrington, WA5 2XQ
  2. Dismissed16 October 20266008108
    Ring O Bells, Northwich Road, Warrington, WA4 4NZ
  3. Dismissed14 October 20266008119
    95 Heath Lane, Croft, Warrington, WA3 7DT
  4. Dismissed12 October 20266010293
    80 Orford Avenue, Orford, Warrington, WA2 7QJ
  5. Allowed24 July 20266005958
    Burford Lane Farm, Burford Lane, Lymm, WA13 0SJ

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.