DEPUTY council leader Cllr Cathy Mitchell is calling for plans to release green belt land in Burtonwood for housing to be scrapped – if an application for 300 properties at Omega is passed.

More than 7,000 homes have been earmarked for green belt in the Labour-run authority’s draft local plan – including 160 in Burtonwood.

The site falls on land bounded by Phipps Lane, Green Lane and Winsford Drive.

But Cllr Mitchell, who serves Burtonwood and Winwick, has released a statement this week after being left alarmed at the submission of plans for 300 homes at Omega as part of a wider masterplan.

The site it relates to has planning permission for offices.

The Omega site is situated on both sides of the M62 on part of the former Burtonwood airbase.

Planning permission already exists for 1,100 homes on Omega South.

Cllr Mitchell confirmed councillors have requested that the proposed allocation in Burtonwood be removed from the local plan following a ‘large response’ from residents in a recent consultation.

The Labour politician said: “I have been working on this issue for some time now.

“I learned just over a week ago that a planning application has been submitted for a further 300 houses on Omega, which falls within my ward.

“The additional houses are not presently accounted for in the draft local plan.

“I fully understand the strength of feeling in Burtonwood, particularly given the proposals in St Helens’ draft local plan for housing in Gorsey Lane and Bold.

“I have therefore asked officers to remove the current Burtonwood allocation from the draft local plan if planning permission is granted. I understand that they are taking advice on this.”

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden, who serves Birchwood, is backing Cllr Mitchell on the issue.

He said: “I fully support Cathy in this action – this is a brownfield site that must be used ahead of green belt.

“We are also in talks with St Helens Council to push back on their proposals for development on Gorsey Lane and Bold and discussing planned developments in Parkside, which could clearly have an impact on Winwick residents.

“I pay tribute to Cathy’s dedication in trying to finding a solution for residents, following the large number of responses to the local plan consultation.”