RESIDENTS opposed to a 240-home development in Ways Green believe geological faults running through Winsford Flashes makes the area unsuitable for development.

Around a hundred people attended a public meeting at the Fisherman’s Tale in Winsford last Thursday, September 4 to discuss the Bellway Homes proposal.

Opposing the development, the Save Winsford Flashes campaign group point to Bellway’s inconsistencies with the Neighbourhood Plan (NP), traffic issues and a British Geological Survey report showing the area lays at the intersection of the Church Hill and Winsford Faults – making it hotspot for subsidence.

Stocks Hill resident Ian Hughes said: “I had a nightmare getting planning to extend my home because of the faults.

“I had to put six foot footings into the ground and the houses on Cow Lane nearby had to be built on rafts because of the subsidence.”

While the group would like to see no development of the area whatsoever, Ian said a proportion of campaigners were hopeful that the NP could mitigate the scheme to 94 homes.

“The sheer scale of Bellway’s development plans massively reduces the proposed recreational space in the NP,” said Mr Hughes. “It includes only one small improved section of pathway between the bottom of Weaver Street and the development, leaving cyclists and walkers to make their way through the development to re-join Ways Green.

“It prejudices the wider NP proposals for the recreational enjoyment of the area. It will bring no recreational benefits for Winsford residents, includes little open space within its boundary and leaves only the steepest areas of the flood-risk filter bed area for Winsford residents’ use.

“If there's no real wider public gain why should we have this development foisted upon us?”

Bellway will hold a day of public consultation over its proposals between 8.30am-8pm at the Lifestyle Centre on Wednesday, September 10.

Managing director, David Williams, said: “We got some thoughtful feedback and some very useful suggestions with regards to the scheme’s proposed layout and land use and meeting people face-to-face will allow us to explore these in more detail.

The public can still leave their feedback via the web site, yourwinsford.co.uk