AN appeal to overturn a council decision refusing permission to build nine homes on green belt land had been thrown out.

It comes after Warrington Borough Council turned down an application in September last year for housing on land off Stretton Road in Stretton.

The council said the refusal was due to insufficient information being provided within the application regarding the impact the development would have on great crested newts.

The protected amphibian species breeds in ponds during the spring and spends most of the rest of the year feeding in woodland, hedgerows and marshes, as well as hibernating underground.

In reaching a decision on the appeal, the Planning Inspectorate said: “The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on biodiversity and protected species, having particular regard to great crested newts (GCN).

“The site provides suitable habitat for a variety of species and GCN could be present, as confirmed by the ecological assessment.

“The appellant’s assessment is clear that the potential impacts on GCN cannot be determined without further surveys, yet these have not been undertaken.

“It is unclear whether GCN are present, what effect the development may have on them, and what mitigation measures may be needed to address any impacts.

“Given the uncertainty over the possible ecological impacts, and therefore any mitigation measures that may be required, it would not be appropriate to address these matters by way of conditions.

“The proposal would not accord with the development plan, and there are no other considerations that outweigh this finding.

“Therefore, I conclude that the proposal is unacceptable and the appeal should be dismissed.”