The government has rejected business park operator SOG Group’s plans for the mixed-use redevelopment of Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn, Cheshire, following an inquiry into the called-in scheme.
In the decision letter, housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the application for the mixed-use scheme, which included 545 homes, had been refused due to risks to public safety arising from the the site’s proximity to the Runcorn Chemicals Complex.
The government backed the planning inspector’s view that the evidence submitted did not sufficiently demonstrate that risks to future residents from potential major industrial accidents would be acceptably low.
As well as the homes, including senior living and extra-care accommodation, SOG’s proposals for the redevelopment of the former ICI headquarters site included flexible space for offices, a conference centre, retail and leisure uses, community meeting spaces and a hotel.
Specialist facilities for science, technology and arts activities, a pub, a vertical farm and car and cycle parking were also planned for the site.
Pennycook did acknowledge that the development offered significant planning benefits, including the regeneration of largely brownfield land, improved accessibility, economic investment and a mix of housing types including affordable homes. The scheme also proposed a biodiversity net gain of more than 30%.
Other impacts such as increased traffic, the loss of some trees and a shortfall in certain types of green space were identified but given limited weight.
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