CONTROVERSIAL plans for the redevelopment of Neston town centre were aired before top Cheshire West politicians.

Last night’s (Wednesday, July 30) County Hall meeting of the shadow Cheshire West and Chester executive was due to meet behind closed doors to consider the financial aspects of the scheme under procedures laid down as part of the local government review.

The new development includes a new Sainsburys, a town square and market, a new decked car park, 14 new homes and community facilities.

Opposing the project, Wendy Morris, representing a pressure group of 30 individuals, claimed that shops in the town would lose business and Neston's market town status would disappear.

Parking would be lost and she questioned whether anybody would be attracted to the town by the new supermarket, claiming there were 22 other stores within a 19 minute drive.

She pointed out the idea of a supermarket for the town dated back to 1997 before issues such as concerns over global-warming and the emphasis on local produce had emerged.

Referring to the development as a “disaster”, she suggested a postal vote should take place.

Accountant Ben Morris, a Neston residents since 1977 who has practised in the town since 1981, described the design of the supermarket as “appalling” and said his office would face a brick wall.

“I am not looking forward to the chaos this is going to bring,” he said.

Mr Morris argued there was no adequate transport plan to deal with the number of vehicles which would be involved in servicing the store.

“The chaos and noise will be detrimental to my business and I shall certainly be asking for compensation,” he insisted.

“I urge you to think again,” he told councillors.

On behalf of developers CTP and Sainsburys, David Cox said the borough council had taken advice on measures needed to regenerate the town centre and that had led to the scheme.

He claimed £700,000 had already been spent by the developers on the project and the council itself had laid out "significant cost".

“This will largely have been wasted if the scheme is not approved,” he told councillors.

Mr Cox emphasised the development offered a “significant capital return” and argued there was no evidence to counter what he described as “a very good decision.”.

Keith McCormack pointed to a 150 year commitment to provide free parking for the public and added: “It can happen quickly if you give consent.”

Council leader Cllr Mike Jones (Con, Broxton) said he and other councillors had received a number of e-mails particularly on the financial details of the scheme. These had been raised with the district auditor.

Interim chief financial officer Paul Heath said he had been informed by the auditor: “There is no action the district auditor could or can take.”

The financial details of the scheme were later agreed with the public excluded.