GREEN belt sites that could be developed on to ensure Warrington meets its development needs by building 24,000 homes by 2037 have been revealed.

An eight-week public consultation on the local plan preferred development option (PDO) is under way, with residents being urged to have their say.

The PDO sets out how Warrington can meet its development needs of approximately 24,000 new homes and 381 hectares of employment land over the next 20 years.

It identifies four main areas of growth – the city centre, waterfront, garden city suburb and south west urban extension.

The council has found that it is possible to deliver approximately 15,000 new homes and 129 hectares of employment in existing urban areas.

This means that land will need to be released from the green belt to deliver approximately 9,000 new homes and 252 hectares for employment.

The full list of all of the sites submitted for consideration by developers has been published.

The authority received more than 150 submissions during its 'call for sites' – enough for almost 50,000 homes across the borough.

Sites that have been put forward include 125 hectares of land for housing in Higher Walton, off Chester Road, as well as 39.2 hectares on a site, off Stretton Road adjacent to the M56, and 16.5 hectares on a location to the south of Westbourne Road and west of Red Lane in Appleton.

In Lymm, 41 hectares of land at Cherry Lane and Booths Lane is being considered for multi-use, as well as 37.6 hectares at Cherry Hall Farm and 29.3 hectares to the north of Higher Lane.

A plot of land totalling 129 hectares in Croft, bounded by Heath Lane, Stone Pit Lane and Smithy Brow, has been submitted for housing.

Land comprising 111 hectares, off East Lancashire Road, and 96 hectares on land surrounding Wellfield Wood are also being considered.

In Burtonwood, 26 hectares of land to the east of Clay Lane has been submitted for housing, as well as 10 hectares on land south of Lumber Lane and 13.5 hectares for employment at Joy Lane.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill said: "Our local plan is hugely important because of the central role it will play in guiding our growth and development over the next two decades.

"That's why it's vital that people have their say.

Warrington Guardian:

"We know that there will be strong views over locations – urban and green belt - where development should happen, over sites which should not be developed and over sites which should be developed carefully.

"Getting involved in the consultation gives you the chance to play your part in shaping the future of our borough, by letting us know what matters to you."

The council will take on board all consultation responses in working up the formal version of the local plan, which is anticipated to be published next February.

Eight community drop-in sessions are being held to give people the chance to get advice and information, air their views, look at maps and ask questions.

They are on:

Thursday 20 July - Winwick Leisure Centre, 4pm to 8pm

Tuesday 25 July – Bridgewater High School, Lower Hall site, 3pm to 8pm

Wednesday 2 August – Village Hotel, 3pm to 8pm

Wednesday 9 August – Birchwood Leisure Centre, 3pm to 8pm

Monday 14 August – Penketh High School, 3pm to 8pm

Thursday 17 August - Culcheth Library, 3pm to 8pm

Tuesday 22 August – Lymm Village Hall, 3pm to 8pm

Thursday 7 September – Pyramid Centre, 3pm to 8pm

The council is also looking into the possibly of adding another two community drop-in events, in other areas which may be impacted by possible future development. Details of these will be confirmed in the near future.

The public consultation runs until September 12.

For further information visit warrington.gov.uk and type 'local plan' into the search box.

Seven new primary schools and two secondary schools could be built to ensure the town copes with its educational demands in the next 20 years.

Since the publication of the council's latest infrastructure delivery plan, the authority has confirmed the need for a new primary school to be provided as part of the Peel Hall site in the 'wider urban area', if development takes place, along with 'major transport improvements'.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones has called on residents to object to any proposals for building on Peel Hall and on the green belt in her constituency.

Warrington Guardian:

She said: "The council's plans confirm the need for a new primary school to be provided as part of the Peel Hall site.

"This clearly assumes that the site will be built on in the future despite residents' objections and ignores all the points they have made in the past.

"Concerned residents should make their views known to the council.

"We are told that the council needs this plan to control development.

"It is true that they need a plan but not necessarily this one.

"It is a plan to expand rather than a plan to meet the needs of people living in Warrington.

"We should be developing starter homes for young people and more social rented housing to meet the needs of Warrington people rather than planning homes on the green belt for commuters.

"No one has been consulted over the plan for a garden city and yet it has huge implications for the town.

"No plan, which requires building on the green belt, can be described as 'sustainable'."

A council spokesman responded to the MP's concerns.

He said: "The local plan PDO confirms the council's current position with regard to Peel Hall, in that if the site is to come forward for development then it must provide the appropriate infrastructure in order to meet the needs of new residents and mitigate the impacts on the existing community.

"In particular, there is a requirement for significant transport improvements and the need to provide for a new primary school.

"By setting out these requirements in the local plan it will strengthen the ability of the council to ensure these improvements are provided when any future planning application for the development of the site is assessed."