Waterfront draft plans go on show

Planners have invited residents and businesses in the Ellesmere Port and Neston areas to look at proposals to redevelop Ellesmere Port's waterfront.

The borough council has drawn up a draft development brief for the area, which landowner Peel Holdings wants to redevelop for a major housing scheme.

The scheme would mean relocating the existing dock operation to a new site near to Eastham.

The closing date of the consultation period will be 5 December.

The potential scale of development will be the largest ever seen in a single housing development in Ellesmere Port Mike Worden, of Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough council's planning department

Peel Holdings is expected to put in a planning application for the first phase of the development, which will comprise around 1,500 homes, early in 2009.

A number of exhibitions will be held at the Westminster Community Centre during November, where there will be additional information and the chance to ask planning officers questions.

The draft development brief covers, creating affordable housing, vehicle and pedestrian access, as well as designs for buildings.

Mike Worden, of Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough council's planning department, said: "The potential scale of development will be the largest ever seen in a single housing development in Ellesmere Port and it is essential that it is guided appropriately."