Halton residents fear a picturesque stretch of the River Lune at Halton could be swamped by housing if a controversial planning application gets the go-ahead.

The old Halton Mills area is considered a brownfield site and two planning applications for housing and light industrial use have already been approved.

But residents and the local parish council are worried that if this third application goes through there could be well over 100 houses built on the whole of this site which would ruin the ambiance of the Millennium Riverside PARK and result in the loss of a green field.

Brian Jefferson of the parish council said they were in favour of development in principal but they felt the plans were far too intensive.

He said: "The Parish Council do not wish to be negative in their approach to the business development of an existing, valuable, manufacturing employer in the parish.

We recognise the need for significant inward investment and for regeneration funding to ensure the possibility of employment provision in the area, and are actively seeking other ways to assist Luneside Engineering's modernisation plans.

But we believe that the urbanisation of the north bank of the river Lune in Halton is inappropriate.

We have the opportunity to press for an improvement in this area as a local amenity, as well as encouraging industrial re-development on appropriate areas of the site.

Any suggested housing development needs to be kept strictly within manageable limits and should preserve and improve the River Lune Millennium Park Area and reflect the District Plan, which state that the site has major potential for informal recreation."

He added: "We ask all interested parties to reflect their concerns to the Planning Department at the earliest opportunity.

Failure to do so might be interpreted as a public green light to the proposed over development of an area of outstanding natural significance."

The planning application by Luneside engineering will be discussed by city council planners on February 25.