Dismayed residents in Kelsall have a number of concerns if plans to build more than 40 new homes in the village are to go ahead.

Feeling is so strong in the village that a petition already spanning more than 200 signatures has been set up, opposing plans submitted by Liberty Properties to build up to 44 homes, some of which will include sheltered accommodation, on green space land opposite Watling Hayes on Chester Road.

Locals claim the development is ‘inappropriate’ and say they were not consulted before the application was submitted, which they describe as ‘poor form’.

Resident Sarah Mitchell whose house neighbours the proposed development said she has a number of concerns about it.

“One of these is the village primary school being full to capacity,” she explained. “The school is full. This year the reception class will place 22 siblings first, leaving approximately eight places for first borns. I am yet to have children, but the 90 new houses that are already approved or in progress are family sized houses which are not yet occupied. “Families will need travel to neighbouring schools in villages which are also under pressure from new housing developments. “

And Sarah is also concerned about traffic congestion from the nearby A51.

“The A51 is already so heavily congested, and new housing already improved will increase that,” she said. “If families travel to other schools, the road infrastructure will be under even more pressure and the bus service does not suit commuters or parents.

“As well as this, the plans would also put further development into a village which borders a conservation area.

“The new development would have buildings so close to the borders of Western Lodge and Bank Farm Mews that it would put at risk all that is good about that precious natural space.”

Chris Spray, another resident, said he felt the application was ‘designed to be quietly passed before the residents really know what's going on’.

“There is a lot of anger about this in the village as you can imagine. This developer is trying to ameliorate their scheme with some sheltered housing and what he calls a green space - in fact it’s an area of a badger set that provides no public amenity and he is not allowed to disturb it.”

Mr Spray added: “What our village really needs to be sustainable and this latest scheme removes any possibility of Kelsall having what it needs.”

The consultation period for this application ends on Wednesday, January 27.

The Chronicle have attempted to contact Liberty Properties for comment, but they have not responded.