DAVENHAM residents are being asked to avoid using Church Street as a rat-run.

The call comes from Vicky Stock, the clerk to Davenham Parish Council.

Land in Church Street is earmarked for 16 houses following the success of an appeal against refusal of permission to build on the site.

Developers are seeking approval for the homes, five of which would be affordable housing, on an enclosed greenfield site.

An application for 16 houses and four apartments on the site was turned down by Cheshire West and Chester Council in November 2014.

An appeal was lodged against the refusal, and following a public inquiry in 2015 an inspector allowed the appeal and granted permission for the housing. Full planning permission was granted on January 21, 2016 and expires on January 21, 2019.

Planning approval is now being sought for 12 houses and four apartments.

“Church Street is used frequently as a rat-run to avoid the A556, and this is already causing chaos at certain times of the day,” said Vicky.

“We are asking on behalf of Church Street residents that we all try to avoid Church Street as much as possible during peak times, especially over the next few months due to the new housing development of 16 new houses, plus several other properties are also having building work done.

“I am aware that it isn’t necessarily Davenham residents using this as a cut-through. However if we can do our bit to help our Church Street residents as much as possible.”