LAND for an average of 380 new homes a year will have to be found in Warrington up until 2016.

That is the verdict of the Government inspector who agreed Warrington council's vision for the future of housing development in the town.

But he also warned builders that if they were looking at green field sites for development, they would have to look elsewhere as they have been protected until 2016 in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

As reported in last week's Warrington Guardian, the UDP was agreed by the inspector following a six-month public inquiry. It was made public on Monday and is available on the council website and in libraries.

Residents and community groups across the borough have been celebrating after a number of key green belt areas were safeguarded. Now they are reading the fine print to see exactly which areas will be protected.

A spokesman for Penketh Action Group said he was delighted Hall Nook would be saved.

He said: "This is great news for everyone who has worked hard to protect this over the past few years."

The decision also means the prestigious Omega development, which will bring tens of thousands of jobs to Warrington, can go ahead.

And the inspector threw out claims by Manchester and Liverpool that Omega would harm planned regeneration schemes in their areas.