RESIDENTS of a cul-de-sac in Callands are mounting a campaign over plans to develop what they see as "an accident waiting to happen."

Warrington Housing Association has submitted plans to build five bungalows on borough council land at Newborough Close - and the scheme has sparked concerns among the close-knit community there.

Residents descended on a meeting of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council last week to raise their objections and seek the support of members.

Among their concerns were an increase in traffic, loss of open space, overlooking and a reduction in quality of life.

A spokesman for the residents said: "Although the housing association is a not-for-profit organisation, this would still be a commercial operation in a residential area because the people living in the bungalows would be paying to live there.

"We also live in an area where everyone knows the population of school children is going through the roof.

"The best use of this land is for Callands Primary school. It would not be allowed to extend if this land was built on.

"We have all got young families and this proposed development would completely make it a no-go zone and totally unsafe.

"It's a recipe for disaster and an accident waiting to happen."

Terry O'Neill, borough councillor and chairman of the development control committee, said: "We have only just received this application and there is still a lot of work to do between the developers and planning officers."

Fellow borough councillor Garry Cross said there had been a meeting of Callands Primary School's governors about the application, who have decided to express concerns to the borough council.

And parish chairman Tina Cross told the meeting that the parish council would write to the borough council in support of residents' objections.