THE men behind a multi-million pound scheme to inject new life into an abandoned airfield came face to face with the opponents determined to stand in their way at meeting on Thursday.

Applicant Richard Coe, along with Peter Neumark, want to transform the former base into a driving academy for learner drivers and for experiences where people can drive ‘exotic’ or unusual cars for birthdays and special events.

They plan to work with Bentley to test and develop the company’s cars on the land, which falls across Appleton and High Legh.

Renault, Honda, Toyota and Mercedes are also believed to have shown interest in the site.

Peter Neumark, a former director of Target Express Parcels, which features on this year’s the Sunday Times rich list, said the plans would cost around £2million and would see police trained at the location.

An original plan, which focused more on leisure activities, was withdrawn last year.

The revised application is expected to be resubmitted to Warrington Borough Council and Cheshire East Council, formerly Macclesfield Borough Council in June.

At the meeting in Antrobus, residents expressed concern about the potential noise pollution from the cars that could be driven near to their homes at up to 96 decibels.

One resident said: “It would be like my next door neighbour mowing a lawn for an hour but I see it as somebody next door inviting all of their friends and mowing their lawns all day.”

Others feared an accident would happen on Swineyard Lane, High Legh, as visitors would enter the site via the road and drive at speed.

Mr Coe said: “Most days it’s going to be absolutely quiet,” adding: “There will be employment – up to 40 full or part-time jobs.”

He dismissed claims the site would be like Oulton Park Race Circuit, saying that site allows for cars louder than 100 decibels.

A 150-space car park will be built if plans are approved and up to eight people would be able to use the circuit at the same time.

Speaking after the meeting Steve Owen, an Antrobus resident, said: “Richard Coe, in an answer to one question, also indicated that he anticipated around 100 users per day for the performance car experience. This figure stuck in my mind because this means eight hours of noise from this activity.

“They are trying to exploit a misconception that this noise will blend into the motorway noise. The people inflicting that noise will be traveling a considerable distance to do so, in the comfort of knowing they or their neighbours will not have to suffer similar noise themselves.”