PLANNING chiefs have deferred a decision on plans for 74 homes in Appleton Thorn after being told the infrastructure and communities in south Warrington have 'had enough'.

Last June, Bloor Homes' application to build 78 homes, on Stretton Road, was refused following three years of campaigning from residents.

But the revised plan, including eight bungalows and 22 affordable homes, came before the development management committee on Wednesday.

It was recommended for approval, subject to a section 106 agreement.

However, members deferred a decision to allow for 'further talks' to take place between the developer and residents.

Representatives from Campaign Against Ruining our Environment, as well as the Appleton Thorn neighbourhood plan group, spoke against the proposals.

Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall) also urged the committee to reject the application.

He said: "As well as considering the views of residents of Appleton Thorn, I would also ask councillors to recognise the wider context of this development.

"You will remember the applications for Appleton Cross, Grappenhall Heys and Pewterspear Green.

"You will remember the promises that local infrastructure could cope with those developments, along with this one.

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"And yet we all recognise that traffic infrastructure and public services in the area are beyond their limits.

"It might be tempting to say this application pales in comparison to the size of the Homes England developments, but every extra house, extra car, extra pupil and extra patient adds to the pressures.

"The infrastructure of south Warrington has had enough.

"And, quite frankly, the people and communities of south Warrington have had enough."

Committee members were told that villagers 'could maybe accept' an amended plan with four fewer homes.

But it sparked 'disappointment' from Mark Waite, planning director for Bloor Homes, who said 'the evolution of the scheme has taken six years'.

He added: "The scheme before you tonight is, in my view, the correct scheme for this site.

"It's disappointing that there is not consensus in support for this application.

"It's about the creation of a sense of a place and I think that scheme creates a sense of place.

"I think if you take numbers away we don't necessarily create a better sense of place."

The deferral will also allow for 'further consideration' over the layout, amount of development and green space provision on the site.

And further information has been requested from Network Warrington, in regards to the delivery of bus service improvements in the area.