PLANNING enforcement officers have investigated a complaint over banners urging Warrington Borough Council (WBC) to 'save Walton's green belt land' – after they were put up without permission.

Walton Parish Council (WPC) placed the banners around Chester Road to press the authority to protect sites under threat from the local plan preferred development option (PDO).

But the parish council confirmed it has decided to retain them and will be applying for retrospective planning permission.

In a statement, it said it was 'unaware that planning consent was required'.

It added: "There is clearly overwhelming opposition to the local plan PDO, which WPC is reflecting.

"The parish council made a decision to put the six banners up to draw the public's attention to the fact that some of the green belt land in Walton is under threat from the local plan PDO.

"We understand that banners in the countryside are unsightly, but this is a temporary situation to raise awareness and will not be anywhere near as devastating an impact if the green belt is permanently lost.

"The parish council is aware that the fields behind the gates, where the banners are placed, are not necessarily those fields which are to be developed.

"The landowners of the fields that are to be developed would clearly not want a banner on display and this was confirmed when the one banner at a field down for development was taken down but not by the parish council.

"To the best of our knowledge there have only been three complaints, two direct to the parish and one to WBC.

"One of the complaints to the parish council was satisfied once an explanation had been given about the placement of the banners.

"We also find it disappointing that WBC, in their approach, are choosing to suppress any opposing views to the PDO and note that they have failed to act when WPC have brought to their attention planning infringements of great significance to the community."

WBC confirmed it has received a complaint about the banners, with the matter investigated by planning enforcement officers.

On April 19, the council confirmed it is no longer investigating 'as a result' of the parish council applying for retrospective planning permission.