A GROUP of neighbours fear the rural tranquility of their leafy country lane is being threatened by the prospect of an up-market housing development -- and they have vowed to oppose it!

Builders Wainhomes have submitted a planning application to erect more than 50 dwellings on the former UGB sports field in Eccleston, which will involve the demolition of a house in Church Lane for access purposes immediately opposite the lych gate war memorial of Christ Church. The construction of a traffic island at the proposed new junction is also included in the overall plan, which was initially rejected before being amended. The land on which the UGB complex originally stood was specified as Green Belt on the unitary development plan, and was intended to be used for sport and recreation.

Eccleston Parish Council is spearheading the objections, and an action group has been formed which has already held several meetings and, according to Liberal Democrat Shirley Evans, opposition to the development was unanimous. In addition, letters of protest have been sent by individual residents to St Helens Council's Urban Regeneration Department.

Action group member Richard Pennington, a retired dental surgeon and former parish council chairman who refused to have his house flattened, told the Star: "We think approval of this application would destroy one of the few remaining vestiges of old Eccleston. There does not seem much point in having a heritage centre in the village while, at the same time, ruining what exists to be seen and enjoyed by everyone".

Mr Pennington, who has lived in Church Lane for 42 years, outlined the group's major concerns which included consequent increase in traffic congestion, which has been exacerbated by a similar residential development at Pike's Bridge, just 100 yards away. The proposed island would be virtually equi-distant from hazardous junctions at the Griffin Inn and the Broadway/Chapel Lane/Springfield Lane/Church Lane island.

Parking at Christ Church would also be affected, in particular for weddings and funerals, while unsightly traffic markings would reduce the aesthetic beauty and dignity of the 160-year-old building. These points received the unqualified support of the vicar, Reverend Clarry Hendrickse, and also lifelong parishioner Raymond Crosby, a former Mayor of St Helens.

Additional pressure on an already overloaded drainage system, plus strain on pupil capacity at Eccleston's schools were other worries, while Mr Pennington was amazed to discover that the outline plan red line infringed on his hawthorn hedge.

"We deplore the proposed development which would result in the loss of a designated green open space which, I understand, is contrary to Government policy', he added.

A decision on Wainhomes' application is expected to be made by the council planning authority next month.