IT IS ironic that Mr Burns is suggesting that the no campaigners are trying to stop the neighbourhood plan (NP) for the same reason as the developers.

The developers would see the area around Rilshaw Lane, leading down to the Flashes, devastated by building not 300 or 550 houses, but a staggering 1,500.

Not only will this destroy what is now farmland and open countryside, it will create major traffic chaos along Station Road bypass, Middlewich Road and of course have a major detrimental effect on the A54.

On the subject of the local plan, the housing recommendation for Winsford is at least 3,500, meaning that this figure is not capped.

We were present at the NP examiners’ meeting, when several developers questioned the validity of the NP preventing other housing development from coming forward if such development conformed with the local plan.

We are well aware that Winsford is destined to shoulder a large number of houses, whether or not the number suggested is sustainable is another matter entirely.

The problem with the WNP from the start was that it failed miserably to provide adequate initial consultation for a town the size of Winsford.

The general public, even after this length of time, still have very little idea as to what the NP is. Right from the word go, we have asked the council to consider brownfield sites, but we have been dismissed.

Now the Government is offering incentives for these more sustainable sites to be developed, why is the council still looking at building on the few green fields that Winsford has left?

Denise Doherty on behalf of Save Rilshaw Action group