CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a fire station - which would reduce response time in the town but would takeover green belt land - have been approved.

The blueprints to start the building work on land at the junction of Widnes Road and Marsh Lane in Cuerdley were given the green light by councillors on Thursday.

But the proposed building, which would be located in hotspot for emergency calls' in the town, were met with strong opposition over claims the plans did not meet the special circumstance required to build on green belt land.

Clr Linda Dirir (Penketh and Cuerdley - LAB), who opposed the development, described the area as 'overdeveloped' and that there was little 'valuable' green belt land left.

She added: "There has been waste tipping on the land for years but has started to claim it back."

Clr Dirir also disputed the fact that the area had been labelled as prolific area for emergencies and said the area was made up of 'irresponsible residents and arsonists' but it was linked to fires at Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.

Clr David Keane (Penketh and Cuerdley - LAB) added that he support the proposal of the fire station but believes there are other more suitable locations.

Speaking Cheshire on behalf of Cheshire Fire Service, chief fire officer Paul Hancock said this was a 'unique' application as the plans deal with public safety and consequently met the criteria outlined in special circumstances.

The fire station is one of four sites to be built as part of Emergency Response Programme by the Fire and Rescue Service to improve its 10 minute response standard while still enabling budget cuts to be made over the next four years.

Three other stations have already been approved to be built in Alsager, Lymm and a site near the M56 at Chester - and if the station in Cuerdley was given the green light it would increase the number of fire stations in Cheshire from 24 to 28.

It was also revealed that if the station had already been built, emergency crews would have reached the a fire in Greenway in Great Sankey on July 7 four minutes earlier.

Despite the plans being listed for refusal, the planning committee voted to let the blueprints go ahead with four in favour, three against and one abstention.