DEVELOPERS have angrily denied claims that 2,400 homes could be built at former Chester army base Saighton Camp.

Conservative parliamentary spokesman Paul Offer claimed that a confidential report 'indirectly leaked' to him said that 2,400 homes would be needed to justify a new access road from the A55.

Residents say any development of the near 100-acre site would swamp existing roads unless the access road is built.

Developer Commercial Estates already has outline permission for 103 properties, with demolition of 48 former army homes now underway.

Chester City Council answered Mr Offer's allegations of 'secrecy' over the report, and 'a hidden agenda of massive over-development' by explaining they had no knowledge of such a report and 2,400 homes on the site would be massive over development.

However, the developers say that there could eventually be 800 to 1,000 homes - with science and technology firms the most likely employment use in a mixed development.

The 'leaked' document states: 'Development of a further 2,400 homes at Saighton Camp will increase the two-way flow on Chester Road at peak times to some 1,000 vehicles per hour.

'This figure will still be some 50% of its theoretical capacity at peak times therefore indicating the road has more than adequate capacity to accommodate further development on Saighton Camp.'

But the developer insists the report was a private document to inform negotiations to buy a field from a local landowner, and had not been seen by the council.

Gerry Choat, planning and development advisor at Commercial Estates, said the proposed route of the access road cut across the field.

He said the report was looking at the capacities of existing roads to help determine the importance of the new access road, and therefore the value of the field.

Reaffirming his commitment to persuading the Highways Agency to allow the road, Mr Choat said he was 'unhappy' with Mr Offer's claims, arguing the report had been taken out of context.

'Building 2,400 homes at Saighton Camp would be like trying to build Manchester City Centre on the site, it's plainly ridiculous if you look at the density,' he said.

'It depends on the amount of employment land needed, but the number is more likely to be in the region of 800-1,000.'

Mr Choat said science and technology firms were the most likely users of the site, but that detailed plans would have to wait until the council's new Local Development Framework had been drawn up, which could take three years.

Charlie Seward, the council's regeneration manager, said the authority 'would not countenance' as many as 2,400 homes.

Boughton Heath councillor and cabinet member for culture, Cllr Ann Farrell, said Mr Offer's claims were 'misleading'.

Council leader, Cllr Paul Roberts, described them as 'absolutely appalling', and said Mr Offer was becoming 'an embarrassment' to his party.

And deputy council leader, Cllr John Price, described Mr Offer as 'a scare-mongering Tory nomad'.

'He's trying to gain political advantage but most people will rightly treat what he's saying with suspicion,' said Cllr Price.

Mr Offer said: 'The report does not mention anything about negotiations for land.

'I'm sticking by what I have said.' nChester MP Christine Russell will meet representatives of Commercial Estates, the Highways Agency and the Government Office North West to discuss the proposed new access to the A55 on August 23.