VILLAGERS are celebrating after planners threw out a housing proposal for wooded land planted by a philanthropist businessman half a century ago.
It was the second time planning chiefs rejected the scheme for land off Wigshaw Lane, Culcheth, in Warrington. The issue will now go to a public inquiry in October.
More than 50 residents cheered after development control chiefs rejected plans by Redrow Homes for the spacious grounds and home of the late Joseph Lythgoe, a keen environ-mentalist and local branch chairman of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.
Development control chairman Coun Gary Cross said the issues would be settled at a public inquiry.
Resident Denise Wade said: "We will win."
A plan for 39 houses was refused and in May plan-ners failed to determine another scheme for an unspecified number of houses.
Redrow has already appealed on grounds of non-determination. Its plan will mean felling 100 trees.
More than 1,000 people have objected, along with the CPRE, Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council, Croft Parish council, Culcheth and Glazebury Action Group, the Mid-Cheshire Bridleway Group and local cycling groups.
