COUNCILLORS have been told not to argue among themselves over the results on an inquiry into Warrington's Local Plan.

Members of the council's policy committee were told that bickering because the Government inspector's findings were not to everyone's tastes would hold up the plan for up to two years.

Labour Clr Mike Hughes told councillors: "If we do have prevarication in any areas, it could set back the development of the Unitary Plan by up to two years.

"We should implement the plan as soon as possible. Of course there are going to be disappointments, but as I have said before, the strategic planning committee will have to look at each individual case on its merits. There is a balancing act we need to consider."

Liberal Democrat Clr Brian Axcell said: "What has happened in the time since the Public Inquiry has shown the great problems caused by increased development, such as the current problems we are having in the schools. Some of the problems thrown up by the huge amount of development are just coming to the fore. It's not as good as we hoped, but it's not as bad as it could have been."

Thelwall Hayes has been taken out of the Green Belt, as has Fidler's Ferry which raised concerns that this would mean unbroken development between Warrington and Widnes.

Lymm councillor Ian Marks said: "Lymm seems to have been singled out for more housing at a time when people are saying that too much is going on already.

"We strongly object to the proposal to allocate a large amount of land north of the Bridgewater Canal between Lymm and Oughtrington for housing. Originally the council had proposed even more land here for development but it later withdrew its proposal much to the relief of local people. Now the Inspector has put this area back into the melting pot.

"Attempts to build on this land have been resisted for 25 years and opposed both by Warrington Council and on appeal. It should be kept as Green Belt. We need to study the proposals in detail and decide the best way of taking our case forward. Some more housing is inevitable but not on the scale the Inspector wants."

But Glazebrook residents are delighted with the recommendation that their village should remain green.

A spokesman for the Action Group said: "Three sites were designated for housing including the two former military camps to the west of Glazebrook Lane, but it has been decided that the area should be a breather between Warrington and Manchester. This is a massive triumph."

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