WINSFORD Town Council has unanimously opposed plans to build hundreds of new houses on the shores of Bottom Flash.

Bellway Homes wants to construct 240 new dwellings on land off Ways Green.

At a meeting on Tuesday evening, September 16, the council’s planning committee registered their opposition to the scheme.

The parcel of shoreline is ring fenced in the Neighborhood Plan to contain no more than 94 homes and a developer commitment to construct new paths and cycleways as part of at least 5.3 hectares of public open space.

Town clerk, Alan Warburton, said Bellway’s proposal ran ‘totally against’ the NP’s objectives.

“New housing in Winsford is inevitable but the Neighbourhood Plan allocates sites which are considered sustainable and which will contribute to the future prosperity of the town, whilst at the same time aiming to preserve, protect and enhance our natural assets,” he said.

“The Town Council also objected to the Bellway application on highway grounds, and has asked that when the application is considered by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the meeting be held in Winsford.”

The Save Winsford Flashes campaign group is opposed to any development on the land, and have previously raised concerns about the loss of visual amenity and known subsidence issues arising from subterranean fault lines in the area.

Scores of comments have been left on Cheshire West and Chester’s website, where consultation ends of September 30.

Rosemary Crescent resident, Alex Sutton, said: "I don't believe that enough research has been done into the impact 240 new homes would have on the traffic conditions on the roads in the immediate area. Both Ways Green and Gladstone St are difficult to navigate at the moment with cars parked on both sides of the road."

Dene Drive resident, Roger Colson, adds: "The Flashes are Winsford Crown Jewel. To build on this site is tantamount to vandalism. It will also contribute to massive traffic problems. I understand the need for housing but there are plenty of other options available in the surrounding area.”

Comments can be left at pa.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk under the reference 14/03669/FUL.