ROAD safety fears have been expressed after plans were submitted for 113 new homes in Kingsmead.

Proposals for the development at Hill Top Farm include plans for a traffic light controlled crossroads incorprating the A556, Hartford Road and the new access road.

Both Davenham and Kingsmead parish councils have written to Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department with their concerns.

Clr David Ravenscroft, speaking at the latest Davenham Parish Council meeting, said: “It would create problems on that corner.

“After six fatalities they closed the Hartford Road junction off and now they’re talking about opening it up again.”

Davenham councillors were also concerned that the new junction would turn Hartford Road into a rat run.

Clr Keith Carter said: “Extra cars will be using it as a cut-through, everything will just turn right.”

Kingsmead Parish Council’s official letter of objection states: “There are concerns regarding the creation of a new junction within close proximity of the junction of School Lane, Hartford, and the Davenham roundabout.

“This will have the result of pushing traffic down Hartford Road, a quiet residential street consisting of a mix of housing, some of which only having on-street parking and affect traffic flows.

“There have been numerous accidents and fatalities on this section of the A556, a fact which the developers would appear to ignore.”

Kingsmead Parish Council also fears that the development, which includes a three-storey apartment block, would be out of keeping with the surrounding area and that there will be a detrimental impact on the neighbouring Poors Wood, an area of ancient woodland.

Plans were initially put forward by Emery Planning Partnership on behalf of applicants Russell Homes, Mr Robert Matthews and Mr and Mrs Igoe, at the end of 2013 but have been resubmitted following consultation.

Alterations include a reduction in the number of homes from 121 to 113, the removal of a pedestrian link to Royal Gardens, the repositioning of the apartment block, a woodland walk linking to Poors Wood and other existing walks and a five metre buffer between the development boundary and the wood.