Tight-lipped over homes

Eagle Property won the right to build houses on the key riverside site last month - but are staying tight-lipped until talks with council chiefs are complete.

In a letter to the Guardian, director Tim Wentworth said: "I felt it inappropriate to discuss this company's reaction to the result of the public enquiry into the Northwich site whilst the company is in discussions with Vale Royal Borough Council."

The London-based firm owns two thirds of the land between Town and Hayhurst Bridges.

They persuaded a government expert to back two schemes for the site at a two day hearing in June.

One is for 52 homes on the land they already own and the other is for 90 dwellings on the whole of the site.

The decision was a blow to town leaders. They want the site to feature a park and pub, as well as homes, in a bid to kick-start the Vision for Northwich.

And one politician wants to make sure future decisions go the council's way.

Colin Walker, a Liberal Democrat from Winsford, has asked councillors to discuss the issue at a meeting tomorrow, Thursday.

He wants his colleagues to agree that:

The government decision is a cause for concern.

Castle Street is a key site affected by important planning issues.

An independent inquiry should investigate why Vale Royal lost the hearing.

Guidelines are needed to make sure Northwich gets the development it needs.

Eagle deny their plans are unpopular but are willing to try and find a compromise.

"Although I dispute your view that public opinion would not be behind any plan for a housing development, it has always been our intention to reach some consensus with the local authority as they represent public opinion in the area," added Mr Wentworth.

Council leader Arthur Neil said a meeting between the two parties was due to take place "in the next couple of weeks" and that both parties were confident of reaching an agreement.

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