Councillors have narrowly approved the construction of an electricity substation which one described as a “monstrosity”.

The substation in Runcorn, Cheshire, has been designed to provide power to about 850 homes on the Sandymoor South and Wharford Farm estates being built by government agency Homes England.

The agency’s application had been previously criticised with local politicians citing concerns that the substation would impose on existing homes in the area.

…

The developments attached to the substation are part of a wider scheme, which has seen about 1,500 homes either built or proposed.

However, the structure itself will stand in neighbouring Norton, close to existing homes that will not be powered by it, and lead to the loss of green space and trees.

…

Other councillors expressed concerns over the choice of site, which was designated as green space in the authority’s delivery and allocations local plan, a blueprint which sets out the borough’s planning policy up to 2037.