APPLETON Parish Council has raised concerns over a new housing and office development planned next to junction 11 of the M56 at Daresbury.

Up to 350 homes, 30,000sq m of office space and a 2,000sq m 'local centre' is planned on 26.6 hectares of land to the west of Daresbury Park.

Marshall Commercial Development Projects Ltd is seeking outline planning permission for the scheme from Halton Borough Council.

The development is seen as a 'natural opportunity' to expand the existing business park to the south of the site, bordering the motorway, while residential units to the north of this will 'take advantage of the increasingly calm and open setting' near to the Bridgewater Canal.

Warrington Guardian:

But the parish council has written to HBC expressing worries that the scheme will have a negative impact on traffic in the surrounding area.

Planning application documents stated: “The proposed development comprises of up to 350 residential dwellings.

“Whilst the detailed layout of the site is reserved, it is anticipated that the properties will comprise a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties ranging from one to four-plus bedroomed dwellings in size.

“A local centre will be provided on-site, comprising up to 2,000m sq.

“At this stage, occupiers have not been identified.

“Therefore, the commercial and retail units could include a variety of uses – including shops, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes and drinking establishments.

“The proposed development includes for up to 30,000m sq of employment uses."