TALKS over plans for a new housing development have been branded a sham by a councillor.

Clr Steve Roberts (LAB - Poplars and Hulme) said he was ‘very concerned’ about the announcement that Satnam was looking to build 150 homes on the Peel Hall site close to Houghton Green.

The application also makes provision for football pitches for Winwick Athletic.

Clr Roberts added: “Satnam are hiding behind a local football club when they claim that they would be providing community facilities by assisting them in providing floodlit pitches.

“Yes, the football club needs new pitches but, no, Peel Hall is not the answer.

“ As one resident put it to me – ‘the people most affected in this development are all the residents of Cinnamon Brow, Orford and Houghton Green – footballers come and go but the residents would inherit this development for life.’ And he said holding a consultation at Golden Square was a ‘sham’ -it follows an initial meeting in Cinammon Brow.

He added: “I believe the first meeting will engender a massive negative response – the one in Golden Square is designed to combat that by securing more positive responses from people who are not going to be affected by the plans.

“The PR company say it is held in Golden Square because there will be more ‘footfall’ – I suppose we should be grateful they are at least conducting it in Warrington and not Manchester or Liverpool!

“ My fellow ward councillors and I will support our voters and oppose these plans.

“ Most residents believe that this is the thin end of the wedge. FOI disclosures to MP Helen Jones clearly show that Satnam want 150 houses now but a further 1,250 in two further phases – effectively wiping out the green space of Peel Hall. “