COMMUNITY woodland plans for Lowton are a welcome change from housing schemes says a Golborne councillor.

Lightshaw councillor Peter Franzen has congratulated the Forestry Commission's blueprint for 70 acres and slammed objectors who tried to hijack a public meeting where proposals were revealed for the land between Byrom Hall and Lightshaw water treatment works.

Calling on locals to send messages of support to the community forest team he said: "Under the scheme the site will be planted with 24,000 trees providing a haven for plants and wildlife for generations to come.

"Paths across the site will provide access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

"This development is an appropriate environmental improvement to the area and a welcome departure from the wall to wall housing and commercial developments which have destroyed so much of our farmland and recreation areas in recent years.

"It seems incredible that one or two individuals attempted to hijack the meeting, jeopardising the project with objections and negative statements that the area will be swamped with 'outsiders, vehicles, horseboxes, yobs, vandalism and crime'.

"This scaremongering is totally without foundation.

"Locals have our assurance we will deal effectively with any real issues of concern."

Messages backing the scheme should be sent to Tim Oliver, project manager, Community Forest Team, Risley Moss, Ordnance Avenue, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 6QX. Fax 01925 859528 or e-mail tim.oliver@forestry.gsi.gov.uk