HEALTH Trust bosses have redesigned plans for a learning disabilities unit in Winwick, after winning a public inquiry.

Warrington Community Healthcare NHS Trust has resubmitted a scheme for the unit on land off Birch Avenue.

The original scheme, which was contested on traffic grounds, was given the go-ahead by a Government inspector after a public inquiry - a decision which is set to cost the borough council tens of thousands of pounds in costs.

But the changes made by the Trust are so substantial that borough council planning bosses have lodged it as a new application.

A notice from the borough council states: "Although the size, use and operational characteristics of the facility are the same as originally proposed, the new application differs from the previous scheme in other ways."

The layout now involves the buildings being arranged around an internal landscaped courtyard and located further away from residents at the eastern end of Birch Avenue. Turning facilities at the end of the avenue will remain unaffected.

Parish councillors, who objected to the original scheme on highway grounds, are raising no objections this time round in light of the inspector's decision in the inquiry.

Chris Haggett, clerk to the parish council, said: "We will be asking for conditions to be added to any planning approval, relating to the building work. We will be pressing for very strict control over the hours of delivery to the work site, a wheel wash for wagons to keep Birch Avenue clean and that the site compound is not in Birch Avenue but on the Trust's own land.

"We have had meetings with representatives from the Trust, who are keen to work with residents in the development of the unit and this has been welcomed by the parish council."