CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed housing development in Statham will have to fight all over again, as a new application has been lodged for the site, barely three months after the last one was turned down.

Back in May, members of the borough council's development control committee refused planning permission for 10 new homes to be built at Pool Bank Farm, on Pool Lane - the third time that this has happened over the past 14 years, and the second time within a year.

Now, a new application has been submitted to the planning department at the council for the same number of homes and at the same site, but with a lower height. The proposed properties remain at two-and-a-half storeys, though.

Clr Sheila Woodyatt said that the revised scheme was still unacceptable to the people of Statham, and to Lymm Parish Council.

She added: "This is another case of another corner of Lymm at the point of being destroyed and there is so little left that has not been destroyed by over-eager and predatory developers already.

"The developers say they have reduced the height of the buildings, but this is a completely rural area and we do not want 10 new houses there. If they wanted to convert the existing barn building, that would probably be OK.

"But it is very close to a site of special scientific interest and it is brimming with wildlife such as voles and newts, and there is a large duck pond as well."

Miller Homes, the prospective developer, has confirmed that an appeal against May's decision has been lodged and should be heard in the autumn, but that the new application seeks to address the concerns of the committee.

A spokesman added that the company didn't wish to comment further because of the appeal.