OPEN countryside is being protected in Davenham after plans for more than 120 houses were turned down.

Proposals had been submitted for 70 homes in Fountain Lane and 53 homes in Jack Lane but Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) has refused both applications.

The Fountain Lane plan, put forward by Richborough Estates, and the Jack Lane plan, proposed by Bellway Homes, were expected to be debated by CWAC's planning committee in August.

But both plans were withdrawn from the agenda when new figures were announced that showed CWAC had reached its five-year housing supply target.

The proposals were looked at again in the light of the new figures and both turned down by council officers in October.

They were refused because development is in conflict with the open countryside setting of each of the sites.

Davenham Parish Council had objected to both applications.

Speaking at the latest parish council meeting, Clr Andy Duff, chairman, said: "Developments at Fountain Lane and Jack Lane have been refused since we last met so there has been some success.

"Developers may appeal but this first stage has been refused."

A proposal for a house at the former Davenham Tennis Club, near Davenham Roundabout, has also been refused on the grounds that it is in open countryside.

Residents are now waiting to hear about plans for 77 houses at land off Green Lane, put forward by Strategic Land Partnership.

Clr Duff said: "Cheshire West and Chester Council have all the comments and are going through them so we need to wait to hear what the next stages are.

"We're in this funny wait and see type of phase now where we've put comments in and are waiting to hear back."