VALE Royal Borough Council adopted a planning brief in 2001 after recognising that the Brunner Mond site was attracting attention from potential developers.

The Winnington Urban Village Consortium has used the council's planning brief as the basis for its planning application.

The brief incorporates the following requirements:

l The overall housing density of greater than 30 dwellings per hectare (net).

l A mix of housing types, sizes and tenures.

l Substantial employment provision.

l Create community facilities including a primary school, community centre, shops and a public house.

l Improvements to the canal side environment.

l Areas for recreation and open space.

l Create an extensive network of safe and convenient walking and cycling routes.