ANGRY residents in Flixton village are fighting plans to convert a private nursing home into a guest house.

The locals living near to Stocks House say that they are seriously concerned with what the proposals entail and have formed an action group to force a rethink.

And they have the backing of all three Flixton ward councillors who are worried about the traffic problems that could ensue at an already busy junction.

The planning application for the site on Carrington Lane, near to its junction with Church Road, has upset neighbours who say that it is unclear from plans how it is to be used.

Chris Hilton from the newly formed Flixton Village Residents Association told SUM: "There is a lot of unrest amongst local residents since news of the plan got around, especially as we were only told ten days ago.

"I have already written a letter of objection to the planning department and put out flyers to let others know what is planned.

"We are against the proposal because the original application stated that it was for a guest house/hostel and that was unclear.

"There is also the road safety problem which would see an increase in traffic at an already busy junction which has been a blackspot in recent years."

Residents have formed their own group and have already put petitions in local shops.

Chris added: "There are other issues such as the possible felling of trees which are governed by a preservation order and we are very worried about the future use of the nursing home."

Local councillor Roy Seddon is in full agreement with the neighbours and says that he has already expressed his own objections to planning chiefs.

He told SUM: "I am concerned about the traffic issue at what is a very busy junction and there have been a number of accidents on the nasty bend, which is next to a bus-stop.

"I can also say that I would be very strongly against any kind of hostel on the site and I am still not happy about the guest house option - it is not the right sort of development for this area which is close to the conservation area."

Cllr Seddon added that he is backing the residents along with his fellow ward representatives Cllr Vivienne Ward and cllr Jonathan Coupe.

He said: "I am most certainly backing the residents calls and I invite any of them to come and see me at my monthly surgery to discuss the matter.

"We must ensure that any developments in our village are right and proper and that there has been full consultation."

The Flixton Village Residents' Association is holding a public meeting tonight (Thursday) at Flixton House, Flixton Road starting at 7.30pm.

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