A PLANNING professional gave an update on a housing development and new access road proposed for Leftwich when he spoke at a council meeting.

John Brooks, planning director at Ainscough Strategic Land, spoke to Northwich Town Council about the Dane Valley development at its April meeting.

He said house builder David Wilson Homes has been contracted to take the site forward, which is set to include 187 houses.

A reserved matters application is currently going through Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), which sets out the details of the development following an outline application by Ainscough Strategic Land, which was approved 18 months ago.

Original plans showed access to the site using Hollands Road and Kingsley Drive.

Ainscough has lodged an appeal after its plans for an alternative access road from the existing junction of London Road and Kingsmead Spine Road were refused by CWAC's planning committee.

It has also resubmitted the plans to CWAC.

"The only issue the council raised in terms of their refusal is the loss of 191 London Road, which is a modern 1970s , by common consent, ugly house," Mr Brooks said.

He added: "I've had numerous telephone calls from residents from Hollands Road and Kingsley Drive who say the alternative is clearly a much better solution to access the housing site.

"Whether it is the site for housing is done and dusted."

Cllr Brian Jamieson said Northwich Town Council had objected to the resubmitted plans for the access road and sent its objections to the planning inspector.

"Obviously you're taking note of what people say about the access road in Hollands Road and Kingsley Drive," he said.

"It's a pity you didn't do that in the first place because they raised significant objections to the first application."

He added: "The proposed new junction would be the only access to the new estate.

"Every time a car appears it will switch every traffic light to red and that will exacerbate the real problem at the junction because it's a major pinch point."