WARRINGTON Borough Council will explore the 'pros and cons' of a 15-year local plan against the proposed 20-year vision.

The local plan preferred development option (PDO) sets out how the borough can meet its development needs of approximately 24,000 new homes and 381 hectares of employment land over the next 20 years.

Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid welcomed the news after he held two meetings with council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill.

He said: "In these meetings to discuss the major planning issues currently facing Warrington, I have reiterated that I share the concerns of many residents about the proposals in the PDO and particularly with regard to the potential effect on our precious green belt land.

"Cllr O'Neill has previously made it clear that nothing will be going ahead without the necessary infrastructure being in place.

"At the meeting, on Monday, I reminded him of this pledge and that people expect this promise to be met in full.

"I was told that more than 6,000 residents have taken the trouble to respond to the consultation on the PDO and I have been assured that their contributions will be fully considered.

"I have suggested – both in my written response to the PDO and these latest meetings – that the council should produce a 15-year local plan as opposed to the current 20-year PDO that has just been out for consultation.

"I have managed to convince Cllr O'Neill to agree that council officers will look at the pros and cons of the shorter 15-year plan as against the current 20-year version and that this should be based on the minimum amount of projected housing needed.

"I am hopeful that this would avoid having to utilise green belt sites altogether, ensuring that the focus remains firmly on regenerating both existing brownfield sites and those that are likely to become available in the future."

The council confirmed it will analyse the 'merits' of a 15-year plan.

A number of parish councils had also called on the council to explore the 15-year option.