ST HELENS Council has thrown out plans to build 120 houses and redevelop replacement sports fields in Sutton Leach.

A joint application for the construction of around 120 houses and the redevelopment of football pitches nearby to the south of Sidac Social Club were submitted to the council’s planning department in September of last year.

But the plans were refused with the council report stating the proposed development “would result in the loss of land that is currently being used as playing fields.”

The report added: “Although the development proposes replacement provision, this is not of an equivalent or better quantity and quality.”

The plans were also said to be an “over intensive use” of the space available and “fails to take the opportunities available for improving the way the area functions and would harm existing land uses.”