Davenham Scouts get permission to build new hut off London Road

Davenham Scouts will finally have a home to call their own after receiving planning permission for a scout hut.

The new facility will be built at Peckmill Scout Wood, just off London Road.

Cub leader, Mike Sinfield, can’t wait to see work get underway.

He said: “This is a fantastic achievement by Davenham Scouts.

“We are delighted by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision to approve our request for planning permission at Peckmill Scout Wood.

“We would like to thank the CWAC planning department, as well as all members of the public who made positive comments on the CWAC planning portal, and our fantastic team of volunteers who pulled it all together.

“Our next step is to plan construction of the building, and turbo-charge our fundraising efforts.”

The 1st Davenham Scouts Group, founded in 1930, has never had its own facility before and was most recently based at St Wilfreds Parish Church Hall.

However, in 2010 the group was unable to renew its lease and members have since been meeting outdoors at Peckmill Scout Wood.

Members have had to use temporary facilities such as portable toilets and a shipping container for storage.

The group then bought the 2.4-acre site in June 2019. 

A visualisation of what the scout hut will look like (Image: CWAC)

The planning application for the new two-storey scout hut was greenlit on Wednesday, August 23.

There were no objections to the proposal, with 48 comments expressing support for the plans.

Supporters say there is a 'substantial need' for such a facility both for Scouts and for the wider Davenham community, a need 'intensified' by the completion of a recent housing developments in the area.

They also say the building has been 'well planned' and would be a 'positive' use of the land.

In a report outlining the decision, case officer Charlie Cullen proposes the plans are approved despite clashing with the council’s policy on building on undeveloped land.

He wrote: “It is considered that the proposals would result in significant positive benefits that would occur through the creation of a purpose-built scout facility.

“It has been demonstrated that alternative locations have been explored within the settlement boundary of Davenham and discounted and that a need for community facilities in this area is evident.

“On balance, given the particular circumstances of this case, it is considered that the positive benefits outweigh the harm.”

The plans are subject to 16 conditions concerning aspects such as the materials used, cycle storage, the removal of trees, electric vehicle charging, and the installation of bat and bird boxes.

To find out more or support Davenham Scouts' fundraising efforts, visit davenhamscouts.org.uk.