A PUBLIC inquiry into plans for a huge distribution hub on green belt land in south Warrington has been adjourned again – until at least June.

The employment site – which would be named Six 56 Warrington – would be located next to junction 20 of the M6 and junction nine of the M56 in Lymm.

The public inquiry was adjourned in May last year. It reopened on Tuesday, but has been adjourned again.

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that that there is a challenge to the newly adopted Local Plan, which ‘goes to the heart of the remaining issues’.

It stated the hearing is now adjourned ‘until we know whether leave to proceed with the challenge is given in May’ – and the earliest possible resumption date is June 11.

Cllr Mark Jervis, who is a member of the South Warrington Parishes Group opposing the application, said: “This last minute development, which was sprung on us as the inquiry reopened, is very disappointing and frustrating.

“After the newly adopted Local Plan emphatically abandoned the proposed employment area on which this application would sit, we were hopeful that the inquiry would end the uncertainty for local residents on an early timescale.

“This is because the new Local Plan protected this area of valuable green belt and concluded that this area of new employment land was not need in Warrington. However, this uncertainty is now set to continue for many more months.”

Warrington Borough Council says it is aware of a ‘potential challenge that may be made to our newly adopted Local Plan’.

A spokesman added: “The council is confident that the adopted Local Plan is fully legally compliant, but if a challenge is made ahead of the 16th January deadline, we will be rigorously contesting it.”

Lymm Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Marks, who is a member of the South Warrington Parish Councils Planning Group, has also shared his views.

He said: “I voted against adopting the Local Plan when it came before council on 4 December.

“I totally accept we need a Local Plan to stop a developers’ free-for-all, but I believe a more acceptable plan could have been prepared for approval.

“But I was delighted when the Local Plan inspectors re-affirmed their determination that the site proposed for Six/56 should not be removed from the green belt and the council, albeit reluctantly, agreed.

“We have been fighting against this development for years and hoped that Langtree would back down. We realised this was not going to happen because all arrangements for the second adjournment to the inquiry were in place when we turned up.

“The bombshell came at the start of proceedings when Langtree’s barrister announced there was to be a challenge in the High Court to quash the plan approved by the council.

“We don’t yet know who has made the challenge or how long the legal process will take.

“The third adjournment will probably take place in June. What we do know, is that it brings uncertainty into the whole planning process.

“This is most disappointing and the twists and turns will be difficult for most people to understand.”