AN application for outline permission to build homes on the site of a former garden nursery in Saughall Massie has been rejected after a long-running campaign.

Local residents and councillors wrote to the Planning Inspectorate objecting to the proposal which, if approved, would have seen 19 homes built on Garden Hey Nurseries on Garden Hey Road.

There have been three attempts to build houses on the site, part of the Green belt between Meols and Moreton in recent years and two appeals to the Bristol-based planning inspectorate.

After the latest appeal against refusal, the planning inspector highlighted a change in Government policy, giving extra protection to Green Belt, as a key consideration in throwing out the appeal, adding: "The proposal would significantly harm the character and appearance of the area."

Councillor Steve Williams said: "Residents living nearby will be delighted that the latest plan has been thrown out.

"Developers need to get the message that this site is inappropriate for development.

"Conservative Councillors will oppose any mass destruction of the Green Belt in this Borough and we'd like to thank those residents living nearby who have worked with us to have this latest plan thrown out.

"The reason we keep getting these applications is because the Town Hall has failed to come up with a Local Plan for the last 14 years to protect our Green Belt."