TWO drop-in sessions are being held to help residents fill out the consultation forms on the council’s draft local plan, which includes a controversial option of releasing green belt land across the borough.

The sessions will be held at Rainford Village Hall tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday (January 20 and 21), and will be open to any residents who want advice on filling out the forms.

This comes following proposals to earmark land for about 1,140 houses in Rainford, on what is currently green belt land.

Residents say this would cause the village to grow by around a third and the proposal has resulted in opposition from an action group.

A consultation over the proposals is underway until January 30 – but some Rainford residents say the online form is too complex and confusing.

Volunteers from Rainford Action Group will be on hand to offer support at the drop-in sessions tomorrow from 3pm until 7pm and on Saturday from 2 to 4pm.

James Wright, chairman of Rainford Action Group, said: “Lots of residents have asked for help with the consultation form because they are finding it hard to understand and difficult to fill in. We believe it is unnecessarily complex and confusing.”

Green belt land across the borough could be released under the plans, for the construction of thousands of homes and employment-related premises, in order to meet government targets.

The consultation form can be downloaded at sthelens.gov.uk/localplan. Copies are available at the town hall and libraries.