THE decision to scale back the Barons Quay regeneration scheme has been 'called in' for extra scrutiny by opposition councillors.

Conservative councillors reacted angrily to a proposal by Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) Labour ruling group to revise plans for the second phase of the project.

A heated debate took place at the cabinet meeting at CWAC's Chester HQ on Thursday.

Cllr Mike Jones, Conservative leader, said: "It demonstrates a lack of ambition in Northwich."

He added: "You're damaging confidence in this town for investors coming in by your direct actions.

"It's taken years to build up confidence in this town and you're knocking it back by your actions and political decisions."

The first phase of Barons Quay includes an Asda supermarket, Odeon cinema, shops, restaurants, cafes and parks, which are set to open at the end of this year.

The debated second phase had outline planning permission for a hotel, up to 45 residential units and 6,700 sq m of shops, restaurants and bars.

The revised plan does not include a hotel, homes or as much retail space.

Cllr Brian Clarke, cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said the changes were a prudent response to a changing retail environment.

"It will still deliver a high quality development scheme for Northwich and leave options open for the future," he said.

Cllr Gaynor Sinar, a Northwich trader and a Conservative CWAC councillor, said: "It's not great because people are going to be investing in Northwich in the new development and they don't really know what's going to happen in the future – they will think that you don't really know what's going to happen in the future because there's been so many changes since May last year."

She added: "There are so many questions and not a lot of answers, we don't feel like we're being consulted."

Cllr Paul Dolan, Cabinet member for adult social care and a Northwich councillor, said: "I've always said that as the economic winds shift up and down it was only right that we as a council, if we were reflecting the fact that we are managing important resources and this was a £50 million risk we were taking, have to take account of the changing nature of economic and trading circumstances.

"I think that Cllr Clarke is acting in a prudent and responsible way, given the public resources involved, in reviewing any sort of changes in the retail climate.

"I'm absolutely confident that the future and the development of Northwich itself is bright for residents, existing and prospective traders and visitors choosing Northwich as a shopping and leisure destination over other towns in the area."

The cabinet approved the revised approach to phase two of Barons Quay but Conservative councillors have called in this decision for further debate since the meeting on Thursday.