PLANS for an overnight truck stop in Winsford have been put on hold for a third month.

Vale Royal Borough Council's planning committee was due to consider an application for the change of use of land at the rear of the Brighton Belle public house on Middlewich Road to a lorry park last Tuesday night, but deferred the application again because they needed addition information from Cheshire County Council highways officers.

The application was previously deferred in May due to concerns over the consultation process, with residents claiming they were unaware of all the details, while a month earlier the applicant, pub landlord Arthur Warner, was asked to submit further detailed plans.

He said: 'I couldn't understand why it couldn't be heard, the council asked me to abide by the rules and I gave it all the information it needed.'

The council received 19 objections about the project from residents citing concerns about access and road safety and fears about anti-social behaviour, saying it could encourage drink-driving and other associated problems like drugs and prostitution.

It has also received six letters of support including a 321-name petition. One backer said the pub is a valued local facility, and that the proposal will provide a needed facility in the area and help the business survive.

Mr Warner said: 'There is a lot of support for the lorry park as it's greatly needed in Vale Royal.

'But it's costing me money whilst I'm waiting for the plans to be considered. I have the materials in storage and I'm footing the costs, not Vale Royal. I also have lorry drivers turning up thinking there's a lorry park here and I'm having to turn them away.'