THE controversial plans for a giant distribution development on green belt land at Florida Farm North will not be called in for a public inquiry.

The £150m proposals to build distribution and industrial warehouses were approved by St Helens Council’s planning committee in January.

A strong campaign had been set up by residents against the proposals, submitted to the council last summer by Bericote Properties.

More than 2,000 letters of objection were written with concerns including loss of green belt, the visual impact, increased traffic, the effect on wildlife, potential flooding, concerns over air pollution and noise.

Bericote say 2,500 jobs will be created by the development and are “committed to ensuring that local people get the first opportunity to secure these jobs”.

Councillors voted 10 to four in favour of the plans which were formally referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for consideration whether to call the plans in.

A spokesman for the government department confirmed that the Minister has decided not to call the plans in, ending campaigners’ last hopes of seeing the development prevented. 

He said: “The Secretary of State has considered the application against his call in policy and is content that a decision should be determined by the local planning authority.”