CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to build homes on a Knutsford nature site have called a public meeting to update residents on the latest developments.

Dewscope wants to build 225 homes on the land, which is east of Longridge.

But the application, which was submitted more than two years ago, has always been highly controversial with residents arguing the site has become a treasured nature reserve and because access would have to be through the Cheshire East Council owned playing fields near Booths Mere.

Campaigner John Finnan, who will be hosting the public meeting with Debbie Jamison, of campaign group KROW (Knutsford Residents Over Ward), said: “The public meeting is for an update, followed by a question and answer session about plans to build 225 houses on the rewilded fields at Longridge."

He added: “We're against development on this land and oppose access to it, through the playing field near Booths Mere. Your [residents] continued support is urgently needed.”

The Longridge site was removed from the greenbelt in 2017 as part of the Cheshire East Local Plan but, since the planning application was submitted, the land has been designated a Local Wildlife Site and part of it is also now officially Designated Ancient Woodland.

Six months ago Knutsford councillor Tony Dean suggested at full council that, as part of the local plan review, the Longridge site, together with the South Macclesfield Development Area should be looked at again because of the new environmental concerns.

The public meeting will take place on Monday, July 3, at 7pm in the sports hall at Adelaide Heath Academy, Longridge.