HOOTON PARK - the old aerodrome on the border of Eastham and Hooton - is earmarked as a strategic site in an overview of the Neston and Ellesmere Port areas.

The briefing is on display at Neston Town Hall and Neston Library this month as a planning statement for the borough up until Year 2011. While the area has potential for industrial development, the transport museum in old hangars is protected. However, 30 hectares at Hooton Park is identified for industrial, office, or warehousing use.

No retail, or non-office commercial development, such as hotels, is to be permitted on this site, except ancillary to an appropriate use regarding the Listed aircraft hangars. The hangars are protected and the Griffin Trust operates a transport museum there. The area of woodland adjacent to them is of particular importance for its visual and wildlife value and will be protected.

The report makes it clear that land at Hooton Park is owned by Vauxhall Motors for use in connection with the car industry.

On the opposite side of the M53, Cheshire Oaks is marked as a prime location for new and prestigious development - not only locally, but regionally.

Overall strategy for Cheshire Oaks is for a high quality flagship development to improve the economic profile of Ellesmere Port.

Since 1993 the first three phases of one of the largest designer outlet villages in the country have been built. Trading is successful. A large racquets club with swimming pool, gym and other facilities has opened. Construction of a Deep Sea World aquarium is under way.

Future developments will also have to achieve a high standard of design and landscaping. Permission for further retail will only be granted if it will not adversely affect the overall vitality and viability of existing town centres. The Borough Council seeks to balance any potential adverse effects on town centres against possible benefits of additional retail development at Cheshire Oaks, employment, increased consumer choice.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.