PLANS for a new eco-town to be built on the outskirts of Nantwich, have been withdrawn by developers after they provoked strong opposition from residents.

The sustainable town was being planned by the Pochin Group plc, and would have consisted of 7,000 homes and catered for a population of 17,000.

The development was to be built on either side of the A51 Chester Road, just four miles from Nantwich, and would have engulfed the rural villages of Wardle and Barbridge.

The self-contained town would have included a new railway station, schools, a police station, pubs, restaurants and a supermarket.

However, the proposal had sparked a wave of protest amongst residents of Wardle, Barbridge and the surrounding villages, who claimed that they had been kept in the dark about the plans.

Concerned residents launched a protest group, and were organising a protest march on Saturday starting at the Jolly Tar pub, in Wardle.

Richard Fildes, Chairman of Pochin plc, said: "Pochin's PLC has today (Wednesday) written to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, and to the Housing Minister, the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP in connection with the proposal for an eco development at Wardle/ Barbridge.

"Pochin's PLC is a long established Cheshire-based company. It regards itself as a considerate employer and a responsible member of the local and regional communities.

"The eco towns scheme required applications to be made to central government for consideration for inclusion on a shortlist.

"If the Wardle site had been short listed by Government there would then have been an opportunity for full local consultation.

"The strong local opposition to the Wardle proposal is now clear, and in response to this Pochin's PLC has today withdrawn the application.

"Pochin's acknowledges the part which the local action group has played in representing the views of the community."

The eco-town which was to be named Need Green, was one of more than 50 similar projects across the country, aiming to create carbon-neutral communities.

The government has outlined proposals to create at least 10 such towns by 2020.

Eddisbury MP Stephen O'Brien, whose constituency coveres the site, says he warmly welcomes the statement by Pochin's plc.

He said: "As a responsible company and good neighbour they have been exemplary in listening to the people in the communities in which they operate.

"They have now done the right thing both for my constituents and their own good reputation."

Mr O'Brien had originally slammed the proposal.

He argued the project would concrete over a massive area of greenfield, and would fail to meet the government's own criteria to create eco-towns on Brownfield sites.

Nantwich Town Cllr, Arthur Moran said: "I am very pleased that the proposal has been withdrawn, I just hope that it doesn't return in a different disguise.

"This development would have had a massive impact on Nantwich."