A PROPOSED housing development in Winsford was slammed as the ‘slums of the future’ by the town mayor.

An application to build 45 affordable homes on land opposite Oak View Academy on Whitby’s Lane was discussed by Winsford Town Council’s planning committee on Monday, November 2.

MCI Developments Limited proposes to demolish the underground reservoir to pave the way for 12 three-bedroom homes, 23 two-bedroom homes and 10 one-bedroom apartments in a single two-storey apartment block.

The application proposes one car parking space per apartment and two-bedroom house and two spaces per three-bedroom house.

Ailsa Gaskill-Jones, mayor of Winsford, said that people who live in social housing shouldn’t be expected to live in conditions that are below regular housing.

She said: “We don’t want to create slums of the future and this to me sounds very much like that. This is houses on top of houses, no facilities.”

Cllr David Edwards, deputy mayor, blasted the lack of open space and size of the proposed homes.

“There’s no reason why people who need social housing should love in rabbit hutches,” Cllr Edwards said.

“People should be entitled to open space.”

Cllr Graham Cawley echoed the deputy mayor’s concerns.

He said: “If you start packing people into a large are, it’s going to create a lot more tensions than it’s going to create a community.”

Cllr Cawley also blasted the car parking proposals.

He said: “It’s a ridiculous statement to make to say you’ve only got one car, but it also says one other thing as far as socialisation is concerned.

“If your friend’s got a car, tell them not to bother coming round. There’s no provision for any kind of social interaction with people or friends. I just think it’s vastly over populated.”

Councillors also raised concerns over the traffic impact the development will have, particularly on Pinewood Road.

Cllr Mike Kennedy said: “If Highways actually conduct a traffic survey here, then my name is Mickey Mouse, not Mike Kennedy because I think it’s stupid.”

The application was refused on the grounds of over-development and lack of open space. It will now likely be decided by a Cheshire West and Chester planning officer through delegated powers.