TOWERING blocks of plush riverside apartments will dwarf our terraced homes, claim incensed Runcorn residents.

Plans to approve a £40m waterside development of a former shipyard in Mersey Road next Monday have infuriated protestors.

"Squeezing 466 high rise apartments into such a small area is inappropriate," said Ian Kirkham, of Old Albert Terrace.

"Six storeys of concrete, glass and wood 15-20ft from our homes shows a lack of consideration.

"A development of this scale will only benefit outside corporate investors simply interested in profit from the buy-to-let market."

Anxious residents formed an action group, voiced their fears to planners at a public meeting and sent 56 letters of objection.

They stress they are not opposed to the development but to the sheer scale and size of the blocks.

Halton Council confirmed a five storey height restriction was imposed when outline planning permission was granted last August.

A spokesperson explained: "The developer has produced a detailed design which includes for buildings which are five storeys high, but is built on stilts to allow for car parking underneath. They have taken care to ensure that the overall height of the buildings is no higher than a conventional five storey building."

A spokesperson for developers Taylor Woodrow said: "Our proposals for this derelict brownfield site have been formulated following detailed discussions with the local planning authority and fully accord with the requirements of the outline planning permission.

"We have in conjunction with Calder Peel architects provided the local planning authority with a detailed design statement that addresses the concerns of local residents.

"We are committed to the delivery of a high quality development which will assist in the wider regeneration of this area of Runcorn."