PLANNING chiefs have approved proposals for hundreds of new homes and a hotel on land at Omega.

Omega Warrington’s application was passed by the development management committee during its virtual meeting on Wednesday.

The outline plans feature the development of 617 homes, a mixed-use zone including retail and food and drink establishments, a hotel and an ‘extra care’ facility.

But committee member Cllr Les Morgan said he was upset about the lack of discussion over the plans prior to the meeting.

He said: “I think it should have been discussed at least at an all-member meeting, things of this magnitude just can’t be thrust upon us like this.”

Cllr Peter Carey said a consultation over the plans has been ‘lacking’.

He added: “We haven’t heard anything for some time about the development on this site even though the principle of development was approved many years ago.

“I think it’s time we had an overall update and briefing on this before being asked to make further major decisions.”

Cllr Carey also expressed fears over the traffic likely to be generated from the new developments in the area and said officers ‘might be relaxed about what the roads can cope with’.

The application was approved subject to conditions and subject to a decision from the secretary of state over whether to call it in.

An amendment was made to ensure a discount on homes on the land will stay in place ‘in perpetuity’.

The site will be accessed off Burtonwood Road/Kingswood Road and Burtonwood Road/Whittle Avenue.

More than 30 people had commented on the plans, with many concerned about the impact on roads in the area.

Given the existing permission in place allows for a further 317 dwellings to be built, the application is considered to result in a net increase of 300 additional properties.

The site had been allocated for employment purposes but is considered that employment use was unlikely to come forward.