Halton Council has opened consultation on three planning applications affecting sites in Runcorn and Daresbury. A notice published in Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News states residents and businesses have 24 days from the date of publication to submit representations.
Applications at a glance
26/00251/S73 – Application under Section 73 to vary the wording of conditions 2 (plans), 3 (construction environmental management plan), 6 (site investigation) and 12 (habitat management and monitoring plan), and to remove conditions 7 (remediation strategy) and 8 (site verification/completion report) from approval 25/00186/FUL (as amended by 25/00442/NMA). The site is vacant land to the north of Astmoor Road and to the west of Howdens, beneath the Mersey Gateway Bridge, Runcorn.
26/00252/FUL – Proposed wooden gazebo with a pitched roof to the rear of Sexton Cottage, Chester Road, Daresbury, WA4 4AJ. The property lies within a conservation area and design, scale and materials will be considered for their effect on local character.
26/00256/LBC – Listed Building Consent to replace nine sash windows at 5 Weston Road, Runcorn, WA7 4JU, with existing window boxes retained and restored, as set out in the notice.
What does a Section 73 application do?
A Section 73 application seeks permission to develop without complying with conditions attached to an existing planning consent. It does not reopen the principle of the approved development but allows the council to reconsider and, if appropriate, vary or remove specified conditions. Any new consent would stand alongside the original, with updated conditions where relevant.
Potential considerations for each site
- Construction management, including hours, access routes and noise control
- Ground conditions, investigation outcomes and any remediation requirements
- Ecology, including habitat management and monitoring commitments
- Visual impact and heritage implications for conservation or listed settings
- Access, parking, highway safety and pedestrian routes
Those who have any concerns or believe they may be adversely impacted are encouraged to focus comments on material planning issues supported by site-specific evidence.
How to view and comment
Application documents can be viewed online via the council’s planning portal, at Halton Direct Link, Rutland House, Halton Lea, Runcorn WA7 2ES, at Halton Direct Link, 7 Brook Street, Widnes WA8 6NB, or at council libraries during opening hours.
Representations should be sent by email to dev.control@halton.gov.uk or in writing to: Tim Gibbs MRTPI MRICS, Director – Planning and Transport, Municipal Building, Kingsway, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7QF. Quote the application reference, your name and address, and provide clear planning reasons. The notice states responses must be submitted within 24 days of publication.
What happens next
The council will assess each application against local and national planning policy, consult relevant bodies and consider public representations. Decisions may be made by officers under delegated powers or referred to committee, and any conditions will be published with the decision notice. According to the notice, documents are available via the council’s usual channels for anyone seeking further detail.
