RESIDENTS in Helsby have lodged their objections to a planned development for a three-storey block of flats off Freshmeadow Lane.
Villagers from neighbouring homes packed the village council meeting to voice a long list of objections to the proposed six apartments.
'Our first concern is the height of the proposed development. Three storeys is a little bit much,' said Sheila Fath, of Greenway Close, who spoke on behalf of the residents. 'We would accept two if it was to ever come to fruition.
'The second is access from Freshmeadow Lane. It is already congested with parking, it is nobody's fault as on one side of the road there are no drives for parking. Many of the families have children so they need cars.'
Mrs Fath said the congestion already causes problems without the addition of extra traffic.
The residents are also concerned about the impact on a nature reserve which backs on to the land. This reserve is an established breeding ground for water birds, which could be affected by the development.
Access to the proposed site could also be affected by a narrow railway arch at the lower end of Freshmeadow Lane.
'There have been two occasions in the last couple of years when ambulances couldn't get through,' added Mrs Fath, 'and the patient had to be carried up the road to the ambulance. It will not do.'
Another major concern of the residents is PCBs in the land. These chemicals were a byproduct of production at the BICC factory opposite which were buried in the ground. The proposed development is separated from the factory only by a lane and to residents' knowledge that area of land has never been tested because it is privately owned.
Mrs Fath added: 'BICC have tested for PCBs, they were seen on the marshes testing in bio-hazard suits, but nobody ever saw them testing on this private land. If it's never been tested and there are PCBs in the land, and that land is disturbed, what is going to happen?'
The planning application has been submitted by Mr and Mrs G Farmer.
