A BOROUGH councillor says residents can expect changes to the controversial proposals set out in the draft local plan.

The publication of Labour-run Warrington Borough Council's emerging local plan has been significantly delayed.

The draft set out the legal planning framework for development in the town over the next two decades and put forward proposals for 18,900 new homes – or 945 a year – up until 2037.

But there was widespread anger after more than 7,000 homes were controversially earmarked for green belt land in the draft.

Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall) says, according to the most recent update, the council plans to take an updated version of its draft local plan out to public consultation this summer, with further details expected after the all-out elections on May 6.

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Ryan Bate

The politician believes the need for another full public consultation suggests the updated version will feature ‘significant changes’, compared to the 2019 proposed submission version which was met with widespread public anger.

“While it is far too early and we simply don't have any details on which to be optimistic, we can at least expect changes,” said Cllr Bate.

“I will continue to demand that green belt is protected and that the focus for the next plan should be to regenerate and repopulate our town centre, addressing inequalities and fixing our infrastructure problems.”

With a public consultation expected for the summer, the suggested timeline could see the plan going to examination next summer with adoption unlikely to be until early 2023.