RESIDENTS are being called on to flood Cheshire County Council with letters in a last ditch attempt to prevent a dump from being built.

Middlewich Town Council is urging homeowners to bombard the authority with letters stating their reasons for objecting to plans that, if passed, would see a landfill site developed at Kinderton Lodge.

Middlewich Town Mayor Clr Chalky White said planning officials at the county council have received several hundred letters of objection but he wants that number to reach thousands.

He said: "It's to try to get people to have a final say. Within the next few months they will be coming to a decision that will affect us all and we want people in Middlewich to make their voices heard."

County councillor Mark Dickson, who is also fiercely opposed to the plans, backs Clr White's sentiments.

He said: "I would urge everyone in Middlewich to write to the council because it's been going on for such a long time and if people don't write and express their views then the assumption will be that they are not bothered. But I don't think that's the case - people are worried.

"We must object to this for the sake of Middlewich."

Henry Elsby, manager of Reeds Rains in Wheelock Street, is also backing the request and warned that if the proposal is given the green light the cost implication for homeowners would be serious.

He said: "Although the current housing market is stable, something like this would without a doubt have a significantly detrimental effect on house prices in Middlewich. I would see it as a time for the town to come together and make their opinions heard."

A spokeswoman for Cheshire County Council said although the consultation period has officially closed, all letters of objection would be considered.

She said: "We are aiming to put the findings of the consultation and all objections before the development and regulatory committee by December."

Information on how to object to the proposal on planning grounds can be found online at www.middlewich.org.uk.