PLANS have been sent in to the council seeking permission for the construction of almost 100 homes.

Wain Homes North West have sent in the proposals for land west of Mill Lane, on the edge of  Newton-le-Willows.

The plans seek permission for 99 houses but have drawn opposition from residents.

A design and access statement, drawn up by agents Emery Planning, on behalf of applicants Wain Homes North West, says: “The site comprises a triangular-shaped field of arable grassland with trees and some planting along the western boundary”.

It says “this application seeks full planning permission for the construction of 99 dwellings with access, landscaping and open space”.

The statement adds: “By way of background Emery Planning submitted representations on behalf of Wain Homes to the emerging Local Plan and attended the Examination. In the emerging local plan, approximately 50 per cent of the site is identified as white land (the application site) and the remainder as safeguarded land.

“Our representations supported the removal of the site from the green belt and sought a single housing allocation”.

It says: “In the adopted Local Plan the site the white land and safeguarded land has been carried forward” and following pre-application inquiries, advice has been taken into account “and the proposed dwellings are on the white land”.

The plans say the site “was located in the green belt in the now superseded adopted development plan”.

The documents says the applicant has “an overall masterplan vision for the site” for up to 300 homes comprising an appropriate mix of sizes and tenures.

It says the proposed development in this application “includes 30% affordable housing provision with a range of house types to be delivered.

“The scale of the proposed dwellings is largely two-storeys, and would be constructed in facing brick and roof tile.

“This would reflect the character and appearance of the surrounding residential development”.

It concludes: “The application site is located within the urban area of Newton-le-Willows where the principle of development is acceptable.

“The suite of environmental and technical reports demonstrate compliance with the relevant national and local policies.

“Therefore, we respectfully request that planning permission is granted”.

One letter of objection against the plans states: “This application should not be passed. This land is not part of the local plan allocation and it would create a dangerous and unacceptable precedent for any future applications if passed.

“The housing allocation for St Helens is more than generous and there is no urgency or exceptional circumstances which would merit this destruction of greenbelt land.

“Send a clear message and improve confidence in the local plan by saying no to this”.

The plans are on standard consultation to the public until Wednesday, September 7.

A determination deadline has been set for November 14.