APPLETON Parish Council has formally accepted a neighbourhood plan tipped to preserve the 'rural character and heritage' in the area.

The documents for the Thorn ward of the parish have been published and a six-week consultation, which will come to an end on April 4, has commenced.

Following the public consultation process on the draft, the plan will be amended and submitted to Warrington Borough Council (WBC), along with supporting documentation.

WBC will then carry out a further six-week consultation before it is subjected to an examination.

Once further changes have been made the plan is set to be brought before the public for a referendum and could then be implemented by WBC and used to determine planning applications.

Cllr Peter Walker (LD – Appleton) said: "It has been a real joint community effort and I am really grateful to everyone who has given up their time to get it this far."

The plan identifies the aspirations of the community and the policies for the next twenty years in respect of planning and progressive growth for the residential and business community within the ward.

It complements WBC's 'local plan' and provides guidance as to how the authority's policies are being implemented.

The designated area includes Appleton Thorn, Wrights Green, Appleton Cross, Bradley Hall area, Barley Castle and Stretton trading estates and HMP Thorn Cross.

The papers published put forward the concerns of residents.

A statement said: "The ward is rural in character and is constrained with limited capacity to develop the services and the infrastructure requirements to support significant development.

"The local school is at capacity and the road network struggles to cope with the traffic coming and going to the trading estates and nearby motorways.

"High peaks, early and late in the day, exacerbate this problem giving rise to extensive periods of congestion.

"Nevertheless, as a community we recognise that change is inevitable and we have a duty to take account of the needs of those living and working within the ward, especially for those starting their journey on the housing ladder and those wishing to downsize in later life.

"This issue can be addressed with the construction of starter homes and bungalows, while preserving the essential rural character and heritage of the ward."

For further information visit parish.cheshire.gov.uk/appletonpc and to submit comments on the plans e-mail clerk@appletonpc.org.uk