EDDISBURY MP Stephen O’Brien will hand over a 650-strong petition on behalf of residents opposed to a controversial homes plan in Tarporley.

Mr O’Brien will pass on the forms to Cheshire West and Chester Council, which recently received an outline planning application to build 100 homes on land off Nantwich Road.

Developer Fox Strategic Land and Property (FLP) are behind the proposal at the 11-acre site owned by well-known Cheshire farming family, the Posnetts.

Mr O’Brien met residents action group Tarporley Greenfield Awareness Project on Friday when he was handed the petition.

He said: “I will ensure that the petition is presented to Cheshire West and Chester Council, as I am doing with each and every representation I am receiving on this application.

“I am listening to all views on this and ensuring that each and every voice is heard as that is the role of a Member of Parliament in local planning matters.

“An MP has no role or power of decision – planning is a local matter with local democratic accountability through the council.”

Michael George, who is spearheading the residents’ campaign to stop the proposal, added: “We’re very pleased that Stephen O’Brien is wiling to send the petition on behalf of the 650 local residents who have signed it.

“It was a productive meeting and great that he could spare his time.

“He was clearly aware of the level of support against the plans.”

The proposal, outside the designated development boundary for the village, has been met with opposition from not just residents but also the parish council.

FLP project director Martyn Twigg says Tarporley has been identified as a ‘sustainable settlement that could accommodate a sizeable portion of almost 5,000 new homes’ needed in the rural area over the next 15 years.