OU have absolutely nothing to worry about!

That's the reassuring message from Halton Council this week to Farnworth residents living near the proposed Upton Rocks site Q development.

Chairman of the planning and transportation committee, councillor Rob Polhill said that members and officers were bending over backwards to ensure any properties built would be of the highest quality, with developers meeting strict criteria.

His comments come as Halton Council accepted a brief for the land, near Widnes Sixth Form College, which is still in private ownership.

Developers Redrow are understood to be interested in buying and developing the site but no planning application has yet been submitted.

The former greenbelt site was allocated for housing in 1996 by a government inspector who overruled Halton Council.

Realising the sensitivity of the situation, members and officers have drawn up a detailed brief to ensure any future house building programme fulfils certain conditions.

"I can reassure these people that they've got absolutely nothing to worry about," said councillor Rob Polhill this week.

"The footpath will remain and the pond will be retained and enhanced with extra flora, fauna and improved habitat. Tree planting and landscaping will be enhanced.

"We can now impose traffic calming of 20mph on all new estates.

"The new relief distributory road will relieve traffic along Upton Bridal path.

"We are trying to get the best deal for everyone."

The brief was altered following consultation with 100 residents living near the proposed development.

Phil Watts, Halton Council's group manager for development and building control, said:"We have increased the standard above and beyond the normal standard. There will be only about 250 houses, very well spaced apart.

"This will be an extremely high quality development."

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