CONTROVERSIAL plans for an extension to a care on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal have been withdrawn.

A planning application was submitted for additional extra care accommodation at The Old Rectory Nursing Home in Grappenhall late last year.

But it provoked a storm of protest from neighbours with some saying the peace of the village would be 'shattered forever'.

Man residents said it was out of keeping with the village surroundings and would overlook some properties.

The new build would have created 32 extra care beds at the back of the existing nursing home which is close to St Wilfrid's Church in the heart of Grappenhall village.

Warrington Borough Council has confirmed this week the plans have been withdrawn.

Lying within the green belt, developers said the new plans had been designed to preserve the character of the Grappenhall Conservation Area and the setting of the listed church.

However neighbours disagreed.

One stated: "Privacy is something that council policy aim to protect although in this case it doesn't appear to be so.

"Not only will the houses/gardens be overlooked by the terraces/balconies/apartments of this three-storey building but the peace will be shattered forever by all the noise carried on the water."

Another added: "Unlike the owners of the nursing home, our village is not a business to us – it is our home and our community; one we are very proud of. The uniqueness of the village needs to be saved not

only for today's generation but for future generations.

"This proposed building is just too impactful on many, many grounds. It would be truly dreadful if it went ahead."

There were also concerns over the impact on traffic.

"There is already a significant traffic congestion problem within the village. This proposed development would only add to the traffic and congestion through the village, especially over the narrow hump back bridge."

The owners said the new build would 'safeguard the future' of the home during a tough past year.

The new accommodation, which would have comprised 16 extra care units, providing a maximum of 32 beds, was planned the back of the existing nursing home, bringing the total number of potential beds to 70.