Applause as councillors reject 350 homes scheme

A MAJOR new housing development has been held up after residents raised safety concerns about an access road.

- BY ELLIOTT JESSETT

The project will create 350 homes in Widnes and is being assessed by Halton Council but the access point is located in Knowsley and on a stretch of road residents say is dangerous to cross.

The project has already been examined by Halton Council’s planning committee but the access onto Chapel Lane is within the borough of Knowsley and hence, that part of the proposal had to be presented at Knowsley’s planning committee.

People local to Chapel Lane object on the grounds of road safety and the application was held up pending further investigation and a site visit which took place on November 5 and Taylor Wimpey’s proposals were again presented to Knowsley’s planning committee the following day.

During the course of this meeting, three residents of Chapel Lane spoke in objection to the plans, including Sue Fealey.

Ms Fealey outlined her concerns about road safety in the area and the risk more traffic would pose to the local residents.

She said: “You might not know about the 83-year-old who walks the lane for health reasons but also because he lives on his own, has no family and likes to stop and talk to people.