ANGRY villagers opposing development in Lymm, Thelwall and Stockton Heath are set to join forces in a mass rally in a bid to make the council listen to their views.

Andrew Wilson, who organised the 'Hour of Protest' in Lymm, which saw hundreds of disgruntled residents form a slow convoy in the village to show the effect of development on the roads, is asking other groups opposing controversial applications in neighbouring communities to join him.

He is hoping to round up more than a thousand demonstrators to take part in a rally in Palmyra Square which will unite protesters across South Warrington.

Protesters have turned out in force at the last three development control committee meetings.

The latest meeting saw an application for eight three-storey homes in Thelwall, which was set to be approved, deferred for a site visit after residents united to oppose the scheme.

More than 1000 people signed a petition opposing the plans.

Meanwhile, a decision on the regeneration of Victoria Square was deferred for members to assess the effect of plans to build a two storey development, containing eight restaurants, on the conservation area.

Furious residents packed the town hall on the night, and 400 signatures on a petition and 150 letters of objection were received.

At an earlier meeting in January, plans to build 92 homes at land off Bucklow Gardens in Lymm were thrown out after a vigorous campaign by neighbours.

Organiser Andrew Wilson said: "I have set a date for a mini public meeting for Monday March 26 at 7.30pm at Oughtrington Community Centre at which I am going to ask people their views on another protest on Saturday April 28.

"The plan is to link up with groups from Thelwall, Stockton Heath and Appleton, and do a massive rally in Palmyra Square in Warrington."

Anyone who would like to join in the rally is asked to turn up at the Lymm meeting later this month.