FEARS have been raised over a controversial 1,200-home masterplan for Peel Hall resulting in a ‘complete new town’.

The new public inquiry appeal over Satnam Millennium Ltd's plans for the Houghton Green site started on Monday.

It is being held in a virtual format because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillors and residents got the chance to put their concerns forward today, Friday.

Cllr John Kerr-Brown (LAB – Poplars and Hulme) told the inquiry that Satnam’s traffic modelling evidence has been proven to be flawed.

He said: “This is not the first time this has occurred. At the 2018 public inquiry, the appellant’s modelling was found, again, to be flawed.

“So based upon the evidence submitted, we feel that there are serious concerns with regards to the traffic and highways impact within the ward.”

Mike Higginson, who has lived in Warrington since 1979, labelled the scheme as a bad proposal which is ‘unwanted’ by all parties other than the appellant.

He added: “The proposed development site is not so much a housing development but a complete new town, with housing, industrial units, care home, local centre, community facilities and a primary school.

“I can’t see how the inquiry can arrive at any different decision to those held previously.

“This is about making money and lots of money – acceptance of the scheme will cause untold misery to local people, both during construction and with the influx of another 5,000 people and their 2,000 odd cars into an infrastructure that will not cope.”

The inquiry is expected to be adjourned next week, with it anticipated to be reopened next spring.

In 2018, Satnam appealed against the decision of Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee to refuse the masterplan for the land.

The developer’s appeal was dismissed by the secretary of state.

However, the High Court overturned the decision in October last year, which meant a new public inquiry was required.