COUNCIL leader Cllr Russ Bowden admits the authority has previously failed to ‘provide enough information’ over the controversial local plan.

The consultation on the 20-year draft document closed last month but concerns over the proposals continue to mount.

Cllr Bowden (LAB – Birchwood) was pressed on the issue during this week’s leader’s forum.

Speaking in relation to the information sent out in the ‘last couple of years’, he says the council has ‘missed an opportunity’ as it has failed to properly ‘talk about’ what kind of homes people in Warrington will need.

He also insists it is ‘really important’ to recognise existing communities and their voices, while labelling the draft as a ‘highly technical document’.

Furthermore, Cllr Bowden highlighted the importance of improving health services, public transport and community facilities over the next two decades.

“We are talking too much about this bit of land and that bit of land,” he added.

“We didn’t provide enough information – this is another example of me saying the council doesn’t always get it right.

“Now, what I’m trying to do is slowly wind some of that stuff back.”

Cllr Bowden also insists one of the matters he will be prioritising is the ‘massive issue’ of health and social inequalities in the borough.

The draft local plan aims to deliver 18,900 new homes – or 945 a year – up until 2037.

However, a 10 per cent ‘flexibility uplift’ has also been factored in, to allow for ‘market choice’, as well as for the event where sites are not delivered.

Therefore, the draft document sets out proposals for 20,790 homes.

There is an urban capacity for 13,726 homes, so green belt land has been earmarked for a total of 7,064 homes.

Green belt has also been earmarked for around 213 hectares of employment land.