TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'passionate environment campaigner' and well-known Cheshire councillor David Robinson who has died at the age of 67, following a short illness.

Clr Robinson was Shadow Environment spokesman and represented Chester’s Boughton ward.

He died this morning, Wednesday, after suffering heart failure following a short illness.

Shadow Group Leader Clr Justin Madders said today (Wednesday): “This is incredibly sad news.

“I know David had worked so hard over many, many years and was hugely respected by the whole community. His legacy is there for all of us to see.

“Politically, David had tremendous experience and has proved an invaluable source of help and wisdom for us all.

"As Labour Group Leader I have had nothing but fantastic support from him and whilst we have worked hard together, I have enjoyed his company as well.

“We had a shared passion for sport and politics and I think that the passion David showed for everything he did is an example for us all.

“In the time I have worked with him he has never wasted a minute and always threw himself into things he believed in completely with the kind of commitment and dedication that few people could match. It was a privilege to have known him.”

A party member since 1975, Clr Robinson entered politics in 1979 for Chester City Council where he remained a councillor until 1992.

He was also a County Councillor, serving the Overleigh division from 1997 to 2005.

Clr Robinson then won his seat for Boughton for Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2011.

A former teacher, he was also a parliamentary candidate for the Chester constituency in 1987 and 1992.

Council Leader Mike Jones said: “I have known David since I was first elected on to Chester City Council in 1992, with a brief gap from 2005 until he was elected on to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“David always had very strong views. It was this, combined with his energy and enthusiasm for local government, that made him a very effective elected representative of communities.

“It is a very sad loss to the community of Boughton and Cheshire West. My deepest condolences go to his family.”

Clr Robinson was passionate about promoting sustainable transport, especially cycling.

He also had a special interest in environmental issues, waste management and land use planning.

He was active in the Chester Cycling Campaign and a member of the Cheshire West and Chester Council steering group for the Chester Cycling Demonstration Town.

He was also vice-president of Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club.

Cl Robinson was Chair of the Cheshire, Warrington and Halton WREN Panel, the landfill tax communities fund, for eight years; and a former Chair and North West elected councillor for the Cyclists’ Touring Club.

Council Chief Executive Steve Robinson said: “I have worked with David since he was elected to the council in 2011.

“I have always been struck by his enthusiasm, passion and commitment to his local community.

“David was very much a conviction politician, and one who had the utmost respect of all his colleagues.

“Our thoughts are with his family and his friends at this time.”

In recent years, Clr Robinson maintained that the most satisfying project he instigated on behalf of local residents was the £70,000 upgrading of the Neville Road Play area in Boughton, forming a new ‘Friends of’ group.

Married to Monica, with two grown-up children, his interests included cycling and cricket, and he was Vice President at Chester Boughton Hall.