POTENTIAL challenges posed by the borough's local plan have been discussed by MP Faisal Rashid and hospital boss Mel Pickup during a 'very productive meeting'.

Warrington South MP Mr Rashid and Ms Pickup, chief executive of the Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, spoke about the town's health infrastructure and demand for services during the meeting.

They also discussed the 'possible challenges' posed by the local plan, as well as the future of stroke services in the town.

Mr Rashid, who is vowing to campaign to protect NHS services in the area, said he would be backing calls for NHS staff to receive the support needed to deliver the 'best possible care' for patients in Warrington.

He added: "Mel and I had a very productive meeting.

"It was good to hear about the work the hospital is doing to deliver vital services in our area.

"I am only too aware of the pressures on Warrington Hospital and on our NHS services.

"Seven years of neglect and underinvestment by the Conservative Government has put unnecessary and unacceptable additional pressure on our hard-working NHS staff.

"Our frontline NHS staff work tirelessly to provide quality care and I believe that their efforts should be recognised.

"They are working hard in highly pressurised and incredibly difficult circumstances.

"As the MP I will be speaking out for them in Parliament and calling for them to receive the recognition they deserve.

"Together, with my Labour colleagues, I will be calling on Government ministers to finally provide the support and resources that are urgently needed to enable our NHS to cope with the rising demand particularly as we approach the winter months.

"I look forward to working with Mel and her team in the future and I will be offering my help and support in any way I can so that they can continue to deliver the best possible care for Warrington residents."

Communities are being urged to put their views forward during the ongoing local plan preferred development option (PDO) public consultation.

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, with green belt land required to deliver around 9,000 of the homes.

The public consultation runs until September 12.

But Mr Rashid has urged the council leader to extend the public consultation period.

Mr Rashid has written to Cllr Terry O'Neill expressing some of his concerns.

He said: "This is a significant piece of work and the involvement of local people in shaping the plan is crucial.

"I believe it is essential that as many Warrington residents and businesses are able to comment on the proposals as possible.

“The decision to run the consultation for an eight-week period is welcome.

“However, I do have concerns that for the most part consultation events on the plan are taking place during the school summer holiday period.

“The timing of consultation is prohibitive for a number of residents in Warrington.

“Many will not be able to attend consultation events or feedback into the consultation process.

“Constituents have raised concerns with me on this.

“The proposals are emotive.

“They will shape the future of our town and many people with have views on this.

“It is essential that people have the maximum opportunity to have their say on the future of where they live, work and run a business.

“I urge you to look again at the consultation period and to extend it to a date in October that would allow a greater number of residents to have their say.

“By doing so you will enable a wider, more transparent consultation which avoids any perception that the outcome has been predetermined.”

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